Brittany Murphy Laid to Rest at Forest Lawn

Tragic actress Brittany Murphy has been laid to rest in a small, private funeral in Hollywood. "The Clueless" star passed away on Sunday, December 20 after suffering a cardiac arrest at her Hollywood Hills home. She was 32. An autopsy was completed on Monday, December 21 but the cause of Murphy`s death has been "deferred" pending toxicology results. Officials previously stated they believe the star died from natural causes.

Murphy`s grieving widower, British screenwriter Simon Monjack, and her mother Sharon joined close family and friends at Los Angeles` Forest Lawn Memorial Park on Thursday afternoon, December 24 to pay their last respects to the late star in an invitation-only ceremony. "24" actor Eric Balfour served as one of the pallbearers at the service, which was presided over by both a Christian minister and a rabbi, reports the New York Daily News. The hymn "Amazing Grace" was sang at the burial.

Her estranged father, Angelo Bertolotti, was a notable absence - he refused to attend the service because he didn`t want it to be his final memory of his little girl. Alex Ben Block, a representative for the Murphy family, says the service was "very nice, very respectful". A larger memorial service is expected to be held for Murphy in the new year, although details have yet to be announced.

Murphy is in good company at Forest Lawn. King of Pop Michael Jackson, Hollywood actress Bette Davis, silent screen star Buster Keaton, TV actor John Ritter and pianist Liberace are also buried at the venue.

sections: Celebrities