LAST RITES:

In a separate ceremony, more than 20,000 people traveled to Jarnac, Mitterrand's birthplace in southwestern France, where the former president was buried. "This service was confined to his central family and closest friends," Crumley says. "Only about 200 people attended, including actor Gerard Depardieu and writer Francoise Sagan. Everything was very dignified, befitting a leader of his stature. It was clearly choreographed by Mitterrand before he died. A surprise to many was how prominently his mistress, Ann Pingeot, and their 21-year-old daughter, Mazarine, were featured in the service. They sat right up front. The French people will likely respect the fact that he included his second family in this very personal service."