Legendary Brian Wilson Laid to Rest originally appeared on Parade.
Brian Wilson, the world-renowned songwriter and founder of the Beach Boys, was laid to rest on August 6. The legendary musician died on June 11, just nine days shy of his 83rd birthday.
His eldest child, musician Carnie Wilson, posted on Instagram that Thursday, August 6, was when the family laid him to rest. Wilson had seven children — Carnie and Wendy (of the group Wilson Phillips) from his marriage to Marilyn Rovell, which ended in 1979; and then five children that he adopted with wife Melinda Kae Ledbetter, to whom Wilson was married until her death in 2024. Wilson’s five children from his second marriage include Daria, 29, Delanie, 27, Dylan, 21, Dash, 16, and Dakota Rose, 15.
“Today we laid my Daddy to rest. It was incredibly difficult to see that happen, but at the same time, it gave more closure and more of a feeling of restful peace. The last eight weeks have been extremely challenging and like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I love and miss him so much, and I wish he could come back,” wrote Carnie in an emotional Instagram post.
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She continued, “I’m trying to deal with my emotions — they’re so up and down. I know that he would want everybody to feel happy and not sad. … So I just wanna say thank you… thank you, Daddy, for your beautiful contribution to so much happiness and real, raw emotions that you have brought to people. Thank you to all the beautiful, loving and supportive fans out there for honoring him. We share this together. God knows what we’d be without him. Love, Carnie ❤️🎼❤️.”
In the comments, Carnie’s fans are sending her love and support.
“Your bond with him will live on forever in the music as well as the entire world who share their appreciation for what he gave in life. Thinking of you every day and wishing healing love,” wrote one fan.
Another fan wrote, “When news broke, my husband spent an hour trying to figure out how to tell me. He knew it would break me. Your daddy was so loved ❤️.”
“Brian’s music has been the soundtrack to my life. My heart goes out to you and your family ❤️🙏,” wrote a third fan.
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How did Brian Wilson die?
Wilson’s family announced the death in an Instagram post, writing, “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” writes his family. “We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”
Wilson’s official cause of death was respiratory arrest, according to the death certificate obtained by TMZ, though he had been diagnosed with dementia in 2024. The autopsy also listed sepsis and cystitis, and associated factors that included neurodegenerative disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic respiratory failure and chronic kidney disease.
Legendary Brian Wilson Laid to Rest first appeared on Parade on Aug 7, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
