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LOS ANGELES - Heath Ledger's family and loved ones have held a private memorial service at a chapel in Los Angeles.
The service took place under heavy security last night at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in a bid to thwart paparazzi and US religious extremists.
Religious groups vowed to picket the memorial because of Ledger's performance as a gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain.
The memorial took place after hours at the chapel. Security guards manned the front gates and Los Angeles police checked the grounds to ensure Ledger's parents, Kim and Sally, his sister Kate, ex-fiancee Michelle Williams, his two-year-old daughter Matilda, former girlfriend Naomi Watts and 10 other close family and friends could mourn the loss of the 28-year-old in private.
Ledger's coffin was transported from Manhattan to the chapel for last night's service.
After the 30 minute service, the group moved on to the Beverly Hills Hotel for an intimate dinner in a private room.
"Even though it was a sad occasion, everyone was smiling, hugging each other and holding hands," a witness told American magazine, Us Weekly.
"It was a really positive group."
Ledger's family, Williams, and other close friends are expected to fly back to Australia for a funeral expected to be held later this week in Ledger's home town of Perth.
Hollywood's elite will also mourn Ledger today at the Screen Actors Guild Awards at LA's Shrine Auditorium.
Ledger was nominated for two SAG Awards in 2005 for his performance in Brokeback Mountain and there are plans to honour the Australian actor at the ceremony.
Ledger's I'm Not There co-star, Cate Blanchett, is up for two individual SAG awards - best actress for Elizabeth: The Golden Age and supporting for I'm Not There - and Russell Crowe is also nominated for two ensemble awards for 3:10 to Yuma and American Gangster.
Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on Tuesday.
An autopsy on Wednesday failed to find a cause of death. It will take at least a week for the results of toxicology tests to be known, although police sources have said they believe he died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.
There is also speculation he may have died of natural causes despite his young age.
- AAP
