Marilyn Monroe was unrecognizable with 'false breasts, hairy legs' when she died

The funeral director, who helped prepare Marilyn Monroe's body for burial after she died aged just 36 in 1962 following a suspected overdose, has spoken out for the first time, revealing the star's final hours.

Allan Abbott, who ran one of the most popular funeral services in the 1960s for celebrities along with Ron Hast, has written a tell-all book about his work for the stars and claims Monroe was almost unrecognisable when he saw her body shortly after she had died, the Mirror reported.

Abbott said that when they removed the sheet covering Monroe, it was almost impossible to believe that that was her body, as she looked like a very average, aging woman, who had not been taking very good care of herself.

He added that when someone dies, gravity causes the blood to settle to the lowest point of the body. This condition is called lividity, and considering that many people die lying on their backs, the discoloration that occurs is seldom visible.

He noted that in the star's case, she died face down, so there were purple blotches on her face, and her neck was very swollen. They had bathed her at the coroner's office, and her hair was frizzy and fairly short.

Abbott added that her natural hair color was a light brown, not blonde. Her legs hadn't been shaved for at least a week, and her lips were badly chapped. She was also in need of a manicure and pedicure.

They also claim to have found false breasts in her belongings, but chose not to use them. Instead the wife of the cemetery's manager stuffed her bra with cotton to make her look more like herself.