According to a spokesperson, Gandolfini's remains are scheduled to arrive in the U.S. on Monday and a funeral service for the actor will be held in New York City on Thursday.
- Jun 24, 2013
AceShowbiz - A funeral service for "The Sopranos" star James Gandolfini is set for Thursday, June 27, at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City. According to a report from the Associated Press (via USA Today), an HBO spokesperson speaking on the behalf of the family says that the funeral will be held at 10 A.M.
Gandolfini's family spokesman Michael Kobold spoke to media on Sunday in Rome, "The provisional plan is to depart Rome tomorrow afternoon and arrive in the U.S. in the evening." However, Italian news agency ANSA reported that the actor's body left for the United States on Sunday.
At the Sunday press conference, Kobold thanked Italian authorities for their help following the passing of the father of two. "On behalf of the Gandolfini family, I would like to thank the Italian authorities for all the assistance they have rendered in expediting the formalities necessary to repatriate James Gandolfini's remains to the United States," Kobold said, as quoted by Us Weekly.
He added, "We are fully aware that this process usually takes seven days and we are extremely grateful for their efficiency in dealing with this matter. It has been our privilege to be guests in your beautiful country, despite the difficult circumstances. We sincerely thank you."
In addition, the family thanked the United States government for their "kind support" and United Airlines "for moving mountains to help us." Gandolfini's family also thanked HBO "for their support at this difficult time."
Gandolfini passed away on Wednesday, June 19, because of a heart attack. The 51-year-old actor was having a vacation with his son Michael when the 13-year-old teenager found his father collapsed in the bathroom. "There's nothing out of the ordinary. It was a heart attack. It was a natural cause. There was no foul play, no substance abuse. None of that," the family announced the results of autopsy.
