Keith Urban Mourns Dad Bob Urban at Funeral: "I Loved Him So Much"

The country singer flew to Australia without Nicole Kidman and their daughters

By Corinne Heller Dec 17, 2015 6:40 PMTags
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Keith Urban bid his final farewell to his father Robert "Bob" Urban at his funeral, where the country star and American Idol judge and his family honored with moving tributes.

His dad passed away peacefully at his home on Dec. 5 after battling cancer. In addition to Keith, Bob is survived by his wife Marienne, their older son Shane and four grandchildren, including Keith and wife Nicole Kidman's daughter, Sunday and Faith, to whom he was known as "Poppa Bob."

Hundreds of people attended a memorial service for him at the Gregson & Weight Chapel in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland in Australia, where Keith grew up.

"I am so deeply grateful that Dad is not suffering anymore," The Daily Telegraph Australia quoted the singer as telling mourners. "I loved him so much and did not want him to suffer like he was towards the end...he now has given me all the peace that I need to create this new spiritual relationship with my father."

He and Shane gave a touching eulogy, in which they talked about their dad's life and his passions, which included his family, country music, cars and motorcycles, reported another local outlet, The Courier-Mail. Their mother also spoke about Bob, calling him her "soul mate," while Shane's two kids performed guitar and piano.

Kidman, who recently lost her own father, and her and Keith's daughters were too grief-stricken to attend the funeral, The Daily Telegraph Australia said.

Keith had revealed days before Bob died that his father was in hospice and talked about how his dad inspired his love for country music. He had expressed love for his father in a public Facebook photo post in February, saying, "Being a Dad gives me a WHOLE new love and appreciation for my Dad - and everything he's done for me. - KU ‪#‎withdad."

Watch: Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban Gush Over Daughters