Leonard Cohen Died Monday, Three Days Before the News Was Made Public

News of the death of singer-poet Leonard Cohen was first reported late on Thursday, but it now turns out that he had died the previous Monday, a source at Cohen's recording label, Sony Music, has confirmed without explanation the delay in making it public.

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Leonard Cohen, who was born and educated in Montreal, was buried on Thursday near his parents and grandparents in a family cemetery plot in the city. Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, an Orthodox synagogue in Montreal with which he was affiliated, reported that at the late singer's request, he was buried with traditional Jewish rites including the recitation of the Kaddish, the Jewish memorial prayer.

"My father passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles with the knowledge that he had completed what he felt was one of his greatest records," Cohen's son, Adam, wrote in a Facebook post. "He was writing up until his last moments with his unique brand of humor." 

Tributes since the news of Leonard Cohen's death have continued to pour in. Singer Elton John called him "a giant of a man and a brilliant songwriter. Irreplaceable. Loved him and his wonderful music.”

Earlier this year, Leonard Cohen wrote a letter to his then-dying muse and former girlfriend, Marianne Ihlen, who had inspired his "So long, Marianne." The letter read in part: "Well, Marianne, it’s come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine."