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It was a sad day for the southern Perth suburb of Como, the place where Heath Ledger spent his childhood and adolescence before becoming a famous Hollywood actor.
More than 500 people, many from Hollywood and other from Australia sports, business, arts and entertainment worlds gathered Saturday afternoon to pay their respects to the one who finally seem to find his rest after days of endless speculations on his death.
The service was held at the exclusive Penrhos College in Perth where Heath used to come when he was a child to watch his older sister, Kate performing in school plays.
Heath’s former fiancée and the mother of his 2-year-old daughter, actress Michelle Williams arrived along with Heath’s family, clutching the arm of Heath’s sister Kate.
Media was allowed to photograph the crowd outside, but Kim Ledger, Heath’s father said it would be a very private ceremony and asked them to let the family grieve in peace.
“It’s a pretty sad time. We’re finding it difficult to cope by ourselves, let alone cope with everybody around the world. Having said that, we do really appreciate the outpouring and the emotional support from all over the globe,” he said, quoted by the Associated Press.
Other mourners included model Gemma Ward, who was reported to have been romantically linked to heath, Oscar winning actress Cate Blanchett, who gave what one mourner described as a “funny and moving eulogy about their times spent together,” Australian actors Bryan Brown and Joel Edgerton and movie directors Phillip Noyce and Neil Armfield. Matilda Rose, the daughter of Heath and Williams was not present at the service.
The service included film footage of Heath and recordings of his favorite songs: Bob Dylan hit The Times They Are A Changing, Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here and the Beatles’ Here Comes The Sun.
“This room is filled with the love we all felt for a great friend who will be missed by all of us. We want to thank those of you who took care of him and participated in his beautiful life," wrote a note in the program handed to guests, according to the AP.
The memorial service was followed by a private funeral at Fremantle Cemetery attended by 10 people, including Heath’s parents and Williams. There Heath’s cremated remains were laid to rest in eternal peace.
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