Greta Garbo’s Body Is Cremated Amid Secrecy

NEW YORK —  Legendary film star Greta Garbo’s body has been cremated secretly according to her wish, it was disclosed today.

A spokesman for Frank E. Campbell’s Funeral Chapel said the cremation had taken place on the order of Miss Garbo’s family. The city medical examiner’s office confirmed that it had given permission for the cremation Monday.

“It was all very private at the request of the family,” said Robert Lewis of Campbell’s, which was in charge of arrangements for Miss Garbo. “They were carrying out Miss Garbo’s wishes for complete privacy in this matter.”

Miss Garbo, 84, died Monday at New York Hospital. She had been undergoing thrice-weekly dialysis treatments for several months.

Her remains may be buried in a family grave in Stockholm, the Swedish newspaper Expressen reported today. The newspaper quoted Miss Garbo’s only surviving relative, niece Grae Reisfeld, as saying it was her aunt’s wish to be buried in Sweden, and she had also expressed that desire to Swedish diplomats.

Expressen quoted Reisfeld of Passaic, N.J., as saying the cause of death was cardiac arrest.

“The heart could not take any more, and there were complications,” Reisfeld was quoted.

Her frugal ways and good financial advice built the star’s holdings into a fortune, according to the Post, which reported she owned several buildings in Beverly Hills, an extensive art collection and her East Side co-op.

Who will inherit the large estate remains unclear. Miss Garbo left no will.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Rogosin Institute. Miss Garbo underwent dialysis at the nonprofit facility, which is affiliated with New York Hospital.