Actress Brittany Murphy's family gathered on Christmas Eve for a private funeral for the "8 Mile" co-star, who died on December 20 of cardiac arrest. According to the Los Angeles Times, Murphy was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills on Thursday in a ceremony in which friends and family recalled the 32-year-old's work and life.

"A bright light that lit the world is forever dimmed, but will live on in the hearts of those that Brittany touched," her family said in a statement. "Brittany was an incredibly loving and passionate person and an artist to her core." The memorial was presided over by both a Christian minister and a rabbi and guests sang the hymn "Amazing Grace" at the grave site. The ceremony concluded with a reading from one of the her favorite books, "The Little Prince."

In addition to Murphy's mother, Sharon, and her husband, Simon Monjack, guests included actor Eric Balfour and director Penny Marshall. Us Magazine reported that Monjack called Murphy his "soul mate" during the service and said, "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," according to the statement released to the press.

No plans have been announced for a public memorial service, and it will be several weeks before the results of toxicology tests will be announced, which could shed some light on what caused the actress' sudden death. An unidentified law-enforcement source told the Times that Murphy suffered internal bleeding before her death.

Following the service, the family released the statement describing the ceremony, which read, "Today a wife, a daughter, a niece, a cousin, a family member and dear friend to thousands was laid to rest. ... There are no words that can truly express the devastation felt by Brittany's husband, mother and everyone who attended the intimate service.

"At the funeral, Simon [Monjack] described his loving relationship with Brittany and how she was his best friend and soul mate. ... He also said that he knows the closeness and beauty of their love will live on forever.

"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.

"Brittany's body was interred at Forest Lawn at twilight with the reading of the Kaddish and the singing of 'Amazing Grace.' ... Christmas was Brittany's favorite holiday. So the family asks that all those who wish to honor her light a candle and remember the beautiful angel that entertained, enlightened and made the world a better place."