Heath Ledger gets final farewell in Perth

Washington, Feb 10 : Heath Ledger's family, his former fiancee Michelle Williams, their 2-year-old daughter Matilda and Australia's showbiz elite bade the actor a final goodbye at a private memorial service at Perth on Feb 9.

Ledger's family returned to Perth earlier this week to bury the actor, who died in his Manhattan apartment from a prescription drug overdose on Jan. 22.

"It's a pretty sad time. We're finding it difficult to cope," People quoted Ledger's father Kim, as saying.

At least 300 people attended the service, including Australian actors Bryan Brown and Cate Blanchett and soccer stars Ben Cousins and David Wirrpanda, both friends of Heath's.

At the beginning of the ceremony, songs were played, including "These Days" by Australian band Powderfinger, Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin' " the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" and a song by the Shins.

Ledger's remains were cremated after the service at Penrhos College, a boarding school outside the family's hometown of Perth.

Williams and members of Ledger's family attended the small and more private service at Fremantle Cemetery afterwards.

A small wake was held at a restaurant beside the ocean, and at sunset, about 50 people attending the wake, including Williams and Ledger's sister Kate, took a splash in the ocean at sunset.

"It's exactly what Heath would have wanted," one mourner said.

ANI