It's a day of remembrance in more ways than one for Heath Ledger.
Although his family has refused to release details about the late actor's funeral services or final resting place, a private viewing apparently took place Friday at a New York City funeral home.
While no involved parties would comment, police had set up barricades outside the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home Friday morning, ostensibly to shield the family from a barrage of onlookers as they paid their respects.
Ledger's body was first brought to the funeral home on Manhattan's Upper East Side Wednesday night after its release from the New York City Medical Examiner's Office following an as yet inconclusive autopsy.
At roughly 4 p.m., a hearse pulled away from the funeral home. Although the facility's spokesperson refused to confirm whether the coffin borne by the vehicle was Ledger's, the NYPD did block off the street while the coffin was loaded into the hearse and as the vehicle departed, reportedly en route to the airport.
Among those who had been expected to attend the viewing were Ledger's former fiancée, Michelle Williams; Williams' two-year-old daughter with Ledger, Matilda; Williams' mother, Carla, who is currently staying with her daughter in the Brooklyn home she once shared with Ledger; the late actor's parents, Kim Ledger and Sally Ledger-Belly; and his sister, Kate.
The latter trio arrived in New York late Thursday or early Friday from Australia. They may be heading back there soon, albeit with one more stop along the way.
Australian model Sophie Ward, sister of budding supermodel Gemma, both of whom logged time with the Brokeback Mountain star in their hometown of Perth over the holidays, told the West Australian newspaper that the family will likely fly to Los Angeles for a private memorial service before returning the body to Australia.
"I think we're going to L.A.—we might be flying tonight, but I'm not sure," she told the paper Friday. "L.A. is kind of central, between Perth and New York. This is just a funeral service. He'll probably be buried in Perth."
"I understand there's a private memorial service today for family members. I also understand it's proposed there will be a public memorial service in Los Angeles later this week," Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told reporters in New York during a stop at the United Nations.
Smith said he didn't have any direct knowledge of the plans, but that the consulate has offered to help the family expedite the return of the actor's remains.
However, Ledger's publicist, Mara Buxbaum, reiterated to E! News Thursday that "there are no plans for a public service."
Prior to the Ledger family's departure to the U.S., the close-knit clan paid tribute to the 28-year-old onetime Oscar nominee in touching death notices published Friday in their hometown newspaper.
"How do we describe our sudden and tragic loss?" a note signed by the entire family and published in the West Australian read. "You were the most amazing individual 'old soul' in a young man's body. You so loved us, as we dearly loved you. As a close-knit and very private family unit, we have observed you so determined yet quietly traveling in your self-styled path in life, nothing would get in your way...no mountain too tall, no river too wide.
"You dreamed your dreams and lived them with passion and intelligent commitment. We have been privileged to accompany you on a ride through life that has simply been amazing, and through it all we have loved each other beyond imagination.
"Your true legacy lives on in beautiful Matilda, who will always remain in the greatest of care. Our hearts are broken."
Ledger's parents and sister also wrote individual notices paying tribute to their lost family member.
"Our darling boy, special in so many ways to all of us," his mother wrote. "You lived life with courage and daring, and we are so grateful for the wonderful times we shared. We will be there for Matilda."
His older sister, Kate, whose nickname for her brother was "Roast," wrote that the greatest tragedy of all was that "there will never, ever be another 'Heath'...You will never leave my thoughts, Roast, ever."
"I can hardly breathe when I try to write this. We were the ultimate in soul mates. I feel both my heart and life have been torn apart...We were so fortunate to have you as long as we did."
Ledger's father, Kim, echoed the heartbroken sentiments of the family, writing that his "body aches for the sound of your voice, our chats, our laughs and our life and times together."
"My beautiful boy, so loving, so talented, so independent, so caring, so young...no more chess games, mate...this is it, couldn't beat you anyway.
"It had only just started for you...and for us to further enjoy. We were one, in soul and commitment. Just...Father and Son. I will love you forever, Dad."
(Originally published Jan. 25, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. PT.)