Los Angeles - Robin Gibb's funeral will take place next week. The Bee Gees star will be laid
to rest on 8 June, after losing his battle against liver and colon cancer on 20
May aged 62.
Family and close friends of the star will attend the funeral,
the location of which has not been released, but is expected to be close to the
home he shared with his wife, Dwina, in Thame, Oxfordshire, England. A statement from Robin's
immediate family - Dwina, sons Spencer and Robin-John and daughter Melissa -
requested there should be no flowers, but called instead for donations to two
children's charities, "both of which were close to the heart of Robin Gibb
and his family", Rebecca House hospice and Wish Upon A Dream.
'Biggest send-off'
A public memorial for the How Deep is Your Love is being planned, and details are
expected to be announced after next week. It has
been rumoured Robin's family are hoping to hold a public service for him at St
Paul's Cathedral in London, which would see music stars fly in from around the
world to pay their respects. A
source said: "This will be the biggest send-off since the death of John
Lennon.
"Robin was so very highly regarded in the industry and
this will be reflected in the turnout." There have also been calls for Robin to be
posthumously Knighted.
Robin's brother, Barry - the only surviving member of the Bee
Gees - paid an emotional tribute to his brother shortly after his death with a
video montage, combining old clips and photos from their parents' wedding
onward. Robin's twin
brother, Maurice - the third member of the band - passed away in 2003, and the
singer said he never fully recovered from his sibling's passing.