Heavy D's Funeral Scheduled for Thursday

Though we likely won't know more about how precisely legendary rapper Heavy D died last week at the age of 44 for a few weeks, we now know that his funeral will be held this Thursday in Los Angeles, and that the funeral ceremony will be open to the public.

As we reported earlier this week, Heavy D passed away November 8th after he was found unconscious on a walkway near his home in Beverly Hills.

There has been no official cause of death as of yet, and the Los Angeles Country coroner won't have a complete autopsy and toxicology report for several weeks. Authorities have concluded that no foul play is suspected.

When he died, Heavy D was tipping the scales at 344 pounds, but apparently had begun a new fitness regiment and was working out regularly. Before a recent string of acting roles, Heavy D had reportedly lost up to 65 pounds to help get work, but had apparently put the weight back on.

The actor was also reportedly battling an undisclosed illness, which may have contributed to his untimely demise.

Coroner Ed Winter told the New York Daily News that Heavy D "had gone to the doctor the day before. He had what appeared to be flu-like symptoms."

D's cousin Rudy Phillips told the Daily News that the rapper knew he was sick, and had been concerned about it. "He said he had a touch of pneumonia, maybe from traveling. He just got back from England."

MTV News reports that Puff Daddy, Mary J. Blige and the Wayans Brothers are expected to attend an invite-only burial service on Friday.

Check out the video for Heavy D's "Big Daddy" (and note the influence he clearly had on Notorious B.I.G.):