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

The body of actress Brittany Murphy has been released to a storied Hollywood memorial park where a private service is reportedly scheduled for Christmas Eve.

A coroner source told the Daily News that Murphy’s body was released to Forest Lawn after Monday’s autopsy – the same memorial park where Bette Davis, Lucille Ball and John Ritter are buried.

Tomorrow’s daytime memorial service will be “strictly private,” RadarOnline.com reported.

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After releasing a brief statement earlier this afternoon, the family of Brittany Murphy has issued a further statement to OK! expressing their grief at the shocking passing of the actress at the too-young age of 32 at her home in L.A. this morning.

“The sudden loss of our beloved Brittany is a terrible tragedy,” reads the statement from the family to OK!. “She was our daughter, our wife, our love and a shining star. We ask you to respect our privacy at this time.”

A rep for the family adds that funeral arrangements for Brittany’s body are still pending.

Earlier today, the family released the following statement through the actress’ rep: “In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support. It is their wish that you respect their privacy.”

From OK!

Brittany Murphy’s death Sunday may have been shocking, but according to a coroner’s official, “it appears to be natural.”

At least for now.

“We are involved in an investigation of Brittany Murphy’s death,” Ed Winter, chief investigator for the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, told E! News. “She evidently collapsed in the bathroom. She was transported to Cedars Sinai hospital where she passed away. We will probably be doing an autopsy tomorrow or Tuesday, of course the final results will be pending toxicology and further tests.”

Winter made his remarks outside the Clueless star’s home, where he was accompanied by seven Los Angeles Police Department officers.

There is no evidence of foul play, Winter added. “We come out, we look at everything, any prescriptions meds we do take. We will have to analyze everything and go from there.

“It appears to be natural at this time. She has a medical history and there might be some other issues, but I can’t elaborate.

So what were Murphy’s medical issues?

Her mother reportedly told paramedics the star was a diabetic. During her last public appearance back on Dec. 1, Murphy appeared extremely thin, leading to speculation of an eating disorder.

Los Angeles physician Dr. Charles Sophy, who never treated Murphy, told E! News such factors could have contributed to her death.

“Any one of those disorders alone could lead to cardiac arrest if it’s severe enough or ignored from a treatment perspective…much less if someone had them together,” Sophy said.

Winter, meanwhile, said that funeral arrangements have not been made.

“The family of course is very distraught over it,” Winter said. “The family is being very cooperative. We would ask to give the family some privacy. They will not be coming out and there will be no spokesperson at this time.”

Murphy’s family has released a brief statement: “The sudden loss of our beloved Brittany is a terrible tragedy. She was our daughter, our wife, our love and a shining star. We ask you to respect our privacy at this time.”

From E! Online

BRITTANY MURPHY HAS PASSED!!!

I want to send out my condolences to Brittany’s family, especially her mother Sharon – as I know they shared a very close bond… I am so, so sad to hear this news… Brittany was an incredibly talented individual and I’m an so sorry that she has been taken from us too soon!

Brittany Murphy, the actress who got her start in the sleeper hit “Clueless” and rose to stardom in “8 Mile,” died Sunday in Los Angeles. She was 32.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Spokeswoman Sally Stewart said Murphy died at 10:04 a.m. She would not provide a cause of death or any other information.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call at 8 a.m. Sunday at the home Murphy shared with her husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack, in West Hollywood hills. Murphy was transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Los Angeles police have opened an investigation into Murphy’s death, Officer Norma Eisenman said. Detectives and coroner’s officials were at Murphy and Monjack’s home Sunday afternoon but did not talk to reporters. Paparazzi were camped outside.

Messages left for Murphy’s manager, agent and publicist by The Associated Press weren’t immediately returned.

Neighbor Clare Staples said she saw firefighters working to resuscitate the actress Sunday morning. She said Murphy was on a stretcher and “looked as though she was dead at the scene.”

Murphy’s husband, wearing pajama bottoms and no shoes, appeared “dazed” as firefighters tried to save her, Staples said.

“It’s just tragic,” she said.

TMZ.com first reported Murphy’s death Sunday morning.

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