Smith will be buried in Bahamas

MIAMI — Pending an appeal, Anna Nicole Smith will finally be buried, as she wished, next to her son in the Bahamas.

The announcement was made shortly after Broward Circuit Court Judge Larry Seidlin ordered that Smith's body be given to her 5-month-old daughter.

After he issued his order, Seidlin directed lawyer Richard Milstein, the child's court-appointed guardian, to consult with the three parties who were fighting for the right to bury her — Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur, her longtime attorney, Howard K. Stern, and ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead.

The trio and their attorneys met with Milstein in the judge's chambers.

Afterward, Birkhead, Arthur and Stern exited the courthouse arm in arm.

"I loved her with all my heart," Arthur whispered.

Attorneys said details are still being worked out for the burial.

Milstein said that Arthur intends to file a notice of appeal, and transportation and burial will be on hold until the Fourth District Court of Appeals rules on the challenge.

Seidlin, who presided over the weeklong hearing, surprised everyone with his decision.

In a meandering speech, and choking back tears several times, Seidlin kept his TV audience in suspense as he discussed what a difficult decision it was.

"I was concerned about Danny," said Seidlin.

Finally, after issuing the order, Seidlin offered his opinion of where Smith should be buried: with her son in the Bahamas.

"I want her buried, I want her buried with her son in the Bahamas. I want them to be together," he said after reading through the order.

He later concluded: "I have completed all my tasks. God speed to everyone." Stern wanted Smith next to Daniel, who died of apparent drug-related causes last year, while her mother wanted her back in the family plot in Texas.

Stern had been hunched over a table with his hands folded as he awaited Seidlin's ruling and he wiped away tears with a tissue after the order. Arthur covered her eyes.

The body is still at the Broward County Medical Examiner's Office in Dania Beach, and it will remain there until a final decision is made.