Kate Spade's 'heartbroken' father has died on the eve of the designer's funeral

Kate Spade's "heartbroken" father died just a day before the US fashion designer's funeral on Thursday, the family has confirmed.

Earl F. Brosnahan Jr., 89, died in Kansas City, Missouri on June 20.

The news was confirmed in a family statement, with Brosnahan's loved ones saying they believe he died, in part, of a broken heart after his daughter was found dead in her New York apartment on 5 June.

A chief medical examiner later confirmed Spade, 55, took her own life.

"He had been in failing health of late and was heartbroken over the recent death of his beloved daughter. He was at home and surrounded by family at the time of his passing.

"He was especially proud of his wife, children and grandchildren."

Brosnahan is survived by second wife Sandy, who was at his bedside when he died. He also has three brothers, a sister and five children, as well as eight grandchildren.

The fashion icon's funeral went ahead in Kansas City as planned, with husband Andy Spade giving a eulogy and several other family members speaking.

The couple were married for 24 years, but had been living separately for several months before her death. The pair have one child, a daughter named Beatrice.

The service took place at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish - the same church Spade's grandparents had married in - and many attendees carried iconic Kate Spade bags to the service.

The determination that Spade took her own life was released two days after her body was discovered in her Park Avenue apartment by a housekeeper.

Following the ruling, Brosnahan spoke to the Kansas City Star about the loss of his daughter.

The pair had spoken on the phone the night before Spade died, and had discussed her upcoming trip to the US West Coast.

"She was happy and we made plans to meet in California," Brosnahan said.

Speaking of how the family was coping in the tragedy, Brosnahan said the "close" group would "certainly miss our bright, sunshiney little person."

The Kansas local believed his daughter would have been gratified to know the discourse surrounding her death had potential to help someone else.

"Katy would have liked that. She was always giving and charitable. If that helped anybody avoid anything — fine, she'd be delighted," he said.