Norway: Jean Kasem cites Norwegian heritage as reason to bury husband Casey Kasem there

COPENHAGEN – The wife of U.S. radio personality Casey Kasem has cited her Norwegian heritage as one of the reasons for wanting to bury her late husband in Oslo, a spokeswoman for the funeral service agency there said Tuesday.

Kasem, the host of “American Top 40,” died June 15 in Washington at age 82. His death followed a lengthy battle over his care between his wife, Jean Kasem, and his three adult children from his first marriage.

Wenche Madsen Eriksson, spokeswoman for the funeral service agency in the Norwegian capital, said Jean Kasem also told the agency of plans to move to Norway later this year and said having her late husband interred there would allow her to visit him.

Kasem’s body is in an Oslo funeral home and has not yet been buried, said Danny Deraney, a Los Angeles spokesman for the Kasem family members who are disputing Jean Kasem’s burial plans for her husband.

The family members have signed a letter saying Jean Kasem “doesn’t have an ounce of Norwegian blood,” Deraney said Tuesday.

Other relatives and friends say Kasem had wished to be buried at the Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles.

___

Doug Esser contributed to this report from Seattle.