Andy Griffith passed away early on Tuesday , but by midday the legendary actor was already buried on his family farm in North Carolina.
A representative for Twiford Funeral Homes in Manteo, N.C., told TMZ that the 86-year-old actor was buried at 11:30 a.m. on family property on Roanoke Island. It was Griffith’s wish to be buried immediately after his death, TMZ reported, and he was buried in a small ceremony with family and close friends attending. The report did not note whether Griffith was embalmed, which is legally required in North Carolina.
The 86-year-old actor was best known as the star of the classic sitcom “The Andy Griffith Show” and legal drama “Matlock.”
Andy Griffith had his wife Cindi by his side when he died, the Washington Post reported .
“Andy was a person of incredibly strong Christian faith and was prepared for the day he would be called Home to his Lord,” Cindi was quoted by the Washington Post. “He is the love of my life, my constant companion, my partner, and my best friend. I cannot imagine life without Andy, but I take comfort and strength in God’s Grace and in the knowledge that Andy is at peace and with God.”
Though news of his health was not made public, former co-star and Oscar-winning director Ron Howard noted that he had been in ill health for some time, UPI reported.
“His love of creating, the joy he took in it whether it was drama or comedy or his music, was inspiring to grow up around,” Howard told Deadline.com . “The spirit he created on the set of ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ was joyful and professional all at once. It was an amazing environment.”
