Richard Simmons Laid to Rest in Iconic Workout Gear, Brother Reveals at Memorial

“We believe God has a different mission for him… to whip the saints and angels into shape,” said Lenny Simmons during the Oct. 5 event.

Richard Simmons took his iconic style with him to the afterlife.

At the memorial service held for the renowned fitness expert at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on Saturday, Oct. 5, his brother Lenny Simmons shared insights about Richard’s well-known workout attire and how it accompanied him beyond life.

Lenny shared “a little secret” with the attendees, a detail he claimed was “known by very few.”

“Just like Clark Kent with his suit, beneath his clothes, [Richard] wore a tank top and shorts,” he explained, revealing Richard’s burial outfit.

“Why, you may wonder?” Lenny continued. “Because we believe that God has a new role for him, and we wanted him to be dressed in the familiar outfit we all adored, to help the saints and the angels stay fit.”

Related: Richard Simmons’ Team Posts Final Message and Last Photo He Prepared Before His Passing: ‘We Thought You’d Like to See’

“Though he’s not here physically, I feel his spirit with us tonight, and Richard Simmons will forever be sweating with the holy ones,” Lenny concluded in his touching speech. “Thank you all for being here.”

Photos from the memorial show many of Richard’s fans in attendance, some even dressed in workout gear similar to Richard’s signature style to honor him.

Richard passed away on July 13, the day after his 76th birthday. According to TMZ, he had a fall at his home on July 11 and opted not to seek medical attention despite his housekeeper’s urging, preferring to stay at home for his birthday.

The following day, July 12, the housekeeper assisted Richard to bed and found him unresponsive the next morning, July 13. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Richard’s cause of death was due to blunt traumatic injuries with heart disease as a contributing factor.

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A small private funeral was held on July 19, and he was laid to rest at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles.

Two days before his death, Richard gave what would be his last interview to PEOPLE, in which he was asked about being called “a legend.” He responded, “I don’t hear it at all. I don’t hear the word legend. I don’t hear the word icon. I never lived a celebrity life. I never thought of myself as a celebrity.

“People don’t realize this, but I’m quite shy and somewhat of an introvert,” Richard added. “But when the curtain rises, it’s a different story. I’m there to bring joy.”

Related: Richard Simmons Celebrates His 76th Birthday with ‘Candle on a Zucchini’ (Exclusive)

“The praise I get from emails… today alone, we’ll probably respond to over 100 emails. And they’ll say, ‘I’m your number one fan,’ ” Richard shared with PEOPLE.

He continued, “And I just write back, saying, ‘Don’t say that because I’m just a person like you. And I know you do great things, too.’ “