Fans miss chance to grieve for Williams - funeral held day after his death

Fans have left flowers at a makeshift memorial in San Francisco unaware Robin Williams' funeral has been held. Photo / AP

The world has been waiting for details of Robin Williams' memorial and funeral, so that they too can pay tribute.

But it has emerged that the ashes of the late comedian were scattered over San Francisco Bay just a day after his body was found in the Californian residence he shared with his wife, Susan Schneider.

The Bay had been the home of the comedian for almost 50 years before he took his own life, aged 63.

The information was revealed in Williams' death certificate, which detailed what happened to his remains. The State of California document says final disposition was "scattering in San Francisco Bay off the coast of Marin County".

It goes on to confirm that the ceremony took place on August 12 and also stated that a funeral took place at Monte's Chapel of the Hills in San Anselmo.

Williams was found dead on August 11 after he took his own life.

His publicist confirmed that he had been suffering from "severe depression" after he was admitted to a rehabilitation clinic a month previously to continue to "focus on his sobriety".

It later emerged he was also in the early stages of Parkinson's disease.

This week a fan of Williams, 21-year-old Vivian Waller, who is suffering from terminal cancer, shared a video message the comedian sent her to give her hope in her final months.

Speaking to Fairfax Media, Waller's husband, Jack, whom she married in February, told of her joy at receiving the message. "Viv struggles with a lack of energy and it's quite difficult for her to concentrate," he said. "We're just enjoying the time we have together."

However, he admitted he was yet to tell his wife Williams had taken his own life, adding that he'd decided to share the video because the family "love him, we want to show people how awesome a person he was".

- Independent