Brittany Murphy’s friends and family gathered at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Hollywood Hills cemetery on Christmas Eve as the actress was laid to rest.

“Today a wife, a daughter, a niece, a cousin, a family member and dear friend to thousands was laid to rest,” the family said in a statement released to Access Hollywood following the service. “Brittany was an incredibly loving and passionate person and an artist to her core — she loved acting, singing, dancing, and performing. There are no words that can truly express the devastation felt by Brittany’s husband, mother, and everyone who attended the intimate service.”

Both a rabbi and a pastor were present at the co-denominational funeral service, which was attended by 20-25 mourners at Forest Lawn’s Church of The Hills, Radar Online reported.

Among those who gathered at the service were Brittany’s widower, Simon Monjack, and actor and a former bandmate of Brittany’s – Eric Balfour. Eric’s brother Simon also served as a pallbearer, the Web site reported.

According to the family’s statement to Access, a passage from one of Brittany’s favorite books was read at the funeral.

“Several of Brittany’s closest friends and her cousin also recalled their favorite memories, concluding with an excerpt from ‘The Little Prince,’ one of her favorite books,” the family shared in their statement.

Simon Monjack also spoke at the service.

“At the funeral, Simon described his loving relationship with Brittany and how she was his best friend and soul mate. He went on to say that mystery is the nature of love, and you never know when or where it will strike or how quickly it will be taken from you. He also said that he knows the closeness and beauty of their love will live on forever,” the family’s statement continued.

The burial service for Brittany, who tragically passed away at the age of 32 after collapsing at her Los Angeles home on Sunday, was held at twilight “with a reading of the Kaddish and the singing of ‘Amazing Grace,” according to the family’s statement.

“A bright light that lit the world is forever dimmed, but will live on in the hearts of those that Brittany touched,” the statement read.

According to the family, Christmas was Brittany’s favorite holiday. The family has asked that those wishing to honor the late actress “light a candle and remember the beautiful angel that entertained, enlightened, and made the world a better place.”

In related news, Dean Cain, Murphy’s co-star from “Abandoned,” one of the actress’ final films, released a statement on her sad passing to Access Hollywood.

“Tragic. She was so talented and so young, and had so much more to offer this world. Heartbreaking. My thoughts are with her loved ones this holiday season,” he said in his statement.

From Access Hollywood

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