James Gandolfini Funeral Set as Body Returns to U.S.

James Gandolfini's body is back on American soil and will be laid to rest this week.
Funeral services for the "Sopranos" star will take place Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in Manhattan, a spokesperson for the family told "omg! Insider."

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On Sunday, the remains of the 51-year-old were flown from Rome ― where he died last Wednesday after suffering a heart attack ― to his native New Jersey and then transported to a funeral home in advance of his memorial. Former President Bill and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were instrumental in expediting the process of repatriating Gandolfini's remains, a process which could have taken up to 10 days.

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Gandolfini family spokesman and close friend Michael Kobold thanked the Clintons ― and many others, from the Italian authorities to HBO ― in a statement on Sunday before leaving Rome. "We are sure you can understand why we, the family, are so grateful to everyone who has been involved in this process," he said.

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Over the weekend, Deborah Lin Gandolfini, the wife of the late actor, was photographed for the first time since his sudden death. Casually dressed, she was at a Macy's in Los Angeles shopping for what appeared to be funeral attire as well as clothes for the couple's daughter, Liliana, who will be 1 in October.

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The "Zero Dark Thirty" actor was in Rome on a boys' weekend with his 13-year-old son from his first marriage, Michael, who had recently graduated eighth grade. Gandolfini was also expected to travel to Sicily last weekend to attend the Taormina Film Festival and receive the Taormina City Prize.

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The film festival organizers instead put together a tribute to the star. On Saturday, audience-goers watched a montage of Gandolfini's greatest TV and movie moments. Italian director and actor Giulio Base witnessed the tribute and said it was an emotional one.

"James Gandolfini is on the air," he tweeted. "The tribute to him by the Taormina Film Fest was moving. I'm crying. And I'm not the only one."

We're certain many more tears will be shed this week as Gandolfini's family, friends, and colleagues gather in New York to pay their last respects.