Peter Falk's Daughter Banned From His Funeral

Catherine Falk speaks exclusively to Inside Edition. Image courtesy of Inside Edition.

Catherine Falk, daughter of the late Peter Falk, unveiled her outrage at being banned from her father's funeral on Inside Edition today.

Improperly informed of her father's death on June 23, 2011, Falk asks Inside Edition, "How would you feel if you had to hear from the media or hear from an attorney that your dad passed away?” Elaborating on her emotions, Falk says, “It’s absolutely devastating. It’s the worst way to find out about your parent dying. It’s terrible…I am in a state of shock.”

Blaming her stepmother, Shera, for the lack of communication and blatant banishment from her father's funeral arrangements, Falk agonizes over missing her father's funeral at the famed Westwood Memorial Park.

“I haven’t been able to grieve for my dad’s passing because I’ve been filled with so much emotion, so much sadness, so much pain," she says.

In an effort to protect others from this unwarranted treatment, Falk is pushing for California legislation that would grant children equal rights to the surviving spouse concerning hospitalization and burial notifications.

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By Lauren Lloyd in News on July 12, 2011 2:40 PM

Comments [rss]

suepuss

r.i.p mr falk..........i watch you every night,and will continue to do so all my life...ive loved you forever.....on the basis of the comments of his daughter...im sorry you sound like a spoilt bratt.....but you have my sympothys ...........suzie from england

Winnie

As a girl who has lost her own father, I feel for Catherine. There is a now a hole in her heart that no other man will ever be able to fill. But that is the extent of my sympathy. I'm an enormous fan and admirer of Mr. Falk, and have been for close to a decade. It seemed to me that Catherine would frequently go crying to the media when she was unhappy with her father, tastelessly throwing the family business out into the open for everyone to see. In interviews, she publicly complained about her father's wife and various personal aspects of his life. She even sued him to force him to continue to pay her university fees. These actions, to me, are not the actions of a respectable woman and loving daughter.

Again, Catherine has my sympathy in regards to her father's sad death, but as Sue pointed out above, I believe that she is dealing with her own karma now. The only thing that truly matters at this point is that Peter is at peace. A sweet, darling and beloved man who brought joy to millions of people is no longer suffering and has left behind a legacy that will keep him alive in hearts and minds for a long, long time.

I hope that Catherine will move on with her life and stop spewing her family's business to any media outlet that will listen. I think it's very tacky. Rest in peace, Peter Falk. We will never forget you.

catherinefalk

These comments demonstrate people ill informed of the facts. You have no idea of what you are talking about and do not understand what my sister and I have gone through with this second wife of his. Please stop drawing conclusions based upon inaccurate media. His second wife informed no one of his death nor the location of his body-not just me but many, many that adored him and were close to him.

Sue Rothhammer

Is this not the same daughter who sued him to continue paying her college tuition years ago. I'm sorry for her loss and for being shut out but maybe it's carma.

Nuschlerwill

Mr. Falk's adopted daughter sounds as if she is mentally unstable. Her father died!! And she is more concerned HOW she found out about his death!
She is looking to be the center of attention.
When Peter Falk died, the world was in mourning. People who never knew him except from watching him in Murder Inc or Columbo were devastated by his death.
I hope his daughter gets some serious psychiatric counseling.

Will Campbell

On the surface it seems that Nuschlerwill's understanding of those in mourning over Falk's death should translate into a comprehension of a daughter's response at reportedly being kept in the dark about it, but no. Instead this commenter feels compelled to demean Catherine and in doing so reinforces my belief that those who are so insistent of others to get counseling are often the ones who themselves could benefit most from it.

Nuschlerwill

And where did you get your one minute psychiatric degree?
" in doing so reinforces my belief that those who are so insistent of
others to get counseling are often the ones who themselves could benefit
most from it."

If the shoe fits!

Will Campbell

Bravo Nusch, you got me. I am without a degree in psychiatry -- be it from a drive-thru or four-year university. But I do have a compassionate preclusion against making assumptions and an adamant disdain for those who do.

I'd invite you to try a pair of those shoes on for size but I'm afraid they don't make them that small.