Reporters and fans gather in Toronto for Corey Haim's funeral. (Rob Krbavac/CBC) Hundreds of Corey Haim's friends and relatives embraced and held hands as they arrived at a Toronto funeral home Tuesday to remember the fallen teen icon.

The Toronto-born actor who died last week at age 38 was remembered in a private ceremony described as being full of tears and laughter.

Haim's family asked for privacy while they gathered to remember Haim. But that didn't stop more than a dozen reporters and fans from gathering in front of the chapel.

Several fans stood outside the chapel to pay their respects to the former heartthrob, best known for starring in a string of '80s films such as Lucas, The Lost Boys and License to Drive.

"Some people might say it's a little silly, you didn't know the person," said 31-year-old fan Dan Pigeau, who drove about an hour from his home in Oshawa, Ont., to visit the funeral home.

Actor Corey Haim shown in Hollywood in 2009, was remembered Tuesday in a private funeral service. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images) "It doesn't matter. You watch the person's movies, you watch the person's TV shows, you listen to a person's music and it becomes a part of your life. To me, it's kind of like a part of my childhood died," he said.

A Los Angeles coroner's report said the actor had an enlarged heart, pulmonary congestion and water in his lungs at the time of his death. An official cause of death has not been declared.

In recent years Haim spoke openly about his lengthy battle with drug addiction, but it was not known if drugs played a role in his death.

The funeral service included speeches from Haim's best friend, an aunt and a cousin, said Maytal Kotler, who said she was a distant relative.

"It was very touching," said Kotler. "There was some laughter, a lot of crying."

Friend Heather Leikam, 31, a former neighbour who met Haim in 2001, said before the memorial that his mother Judy has been a "pillar" of strength.

Haim's friend and Lost Boys co-star Corey Feldman said Monday he was helping to plan a public memorial in Los Angeles in April. He did not attend the Toronto ceremony.