Heath Ledger Cremated, Michelle Williams Took Ocean Plunge

Sun, 10 February 2008 22:54:25 ET

Following the private ceremony in which the remains of the renowned actor were cremated, his ex-fiancee along with scores of mourners celebrated his short life by taking dibs into the ocean.

Following the private funeral of the beloved young actor, Heath Ledger, at least 50 mourners including Ledger's ex-fiancee, Michelle Williams, celebrated the life of the actor by taking a plunge into the ocean as the sun began to set. On Saturday, February 9, after the private funeral of Ledger was held, Ledger's close family and friends gathered at one of Ledger's favorite spot, the Indiana Tea House overlooking Perth's Cottesloe Beach for final farewell.

It was reported that upon their arriving at the beach, scores of the mourners ran onto the beach and went into the ocean for a short swim. Some went into the water wearing their funeral clothing while others stripped down to their underwear. Distraught Williams, who still wore her cream-colored sundress and black sunglasses she wore for the private service earlier, was briefly dragged into the water to take the dibs as the others cheered. Meanwhile, Ledger's father, Kim, watched the wake from the restaurant's balcony, shouted "Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!" and gave two thumbs up in the air.

As the sun came close to the horizon, the mourners embraced each other and watched the sunset in silence. It can be seen that at the moment, Williams smilingly watched the sunset hugging Ledger's sister, Kate. Two mourners who stood behind her remarked, "The sun goes down on our love. But it will never go down on Heathy." Additionally, on the unique celebration, one of the mourners who was still dripping wet in his underwear told People, "It's exactly what Heath would have wanted."

When the private event ended, Williams left the place with Ledger's mother Sally Ledger Bell and her husband Roger Bell at 9:20 P.M. local time. Reportedly, Sally took the hands of his son's ex-lover as they got into the SUV and inside she rested her head on Williams's shoulder.

Earlier that day, Ledger's family, Hollywood celebrities and hundreds of other mourners bid farewell to the actor at a memorial service at Penrhos College. Among the attendees were Williams, Gemma Ward, Cate Blanchett who also gave out speech about the times she spent with the actor, Rose Byrne, Joel and Nash Edgerton, Bryan Brown, Candy director Neil Armfield, Ben Cousins and David Wirrpanda. The service was started with Ledger's favorite song "These Days" by Powderfinger. In the service, it was also previewed a video tribute compiled by family and friends included footage from Ledger's films and of his two-year-old daughter, Mathilda.

Following the Penrhos momorial, Ledger's closest family and also Williams gathered at Fremantle Cemetery, where the remains of the actor were cremated, for a more intimate service. At the ceremony, Williams was said to be reading William Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 also known as "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" Reportedly, less than an hour later, the private service ended with a scene showing that mourners comforting distraught Williams.

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