Heath Ledger funeral plans in Australia

Heath Ledger's family plans to bid a final farewell to the actor at a spot he cherished, according to reports.

Per the West Australian newspaper, the family will hold a private wake Saturday at a Colonial-style waterfront restaurant at Cottesloe Beach, a resort village south of Ledger's hometown of Perth.

Following the service, Ledger is expected to be buried in a family plot next to two of his grandparents.

Among those expected to attend the funeral are Ledger's onetime fiancée, Michelle Williams, and their two-year-old daughter, Matilda, his Brokeback Mountain costar Jake Gyllenhaal and rumored love interest Gemma Ward.

Since returning from their trip to the United States to collect the actor's remains, relatives have reportedly been holed up at the home of Ledger's mother, Sally Ledger-Bell, where two bouquets of red orchids were delivered Thursday.

Allen Carpenter, the premier of Western Australia, urged the media to respect the family's privacy.

"The family have been thrust into the spotlight, obviously in the worst of all circumstances," he said. "I think the Ledger family should [have] the right to some privacy.

"One of the great things that Heath Ledger was able to reflect upon was that when he came back to Western Australia, it was a haven where he could just walk around like a normal citizen," Carpenter added.

Ledger's body was discovered Jan. 22 in his Manhattan apartment by a masseuse with whom he had booked an appointment.

The cause of death was ruled to be an accidental overdose of prescription medications.
[source]