Cory Monteith Dead UPDATE: Westboro Baptist Church Will Attempt to Picket Funeral, Naya Rivera Issues Statement About 'GLEE' Costar's Death

While GLEE cast members and fans are in mourning over the tragic death of 31-year-old Finn Hudson actor Cory Monteith, one small group is celebrating his passing away. The Westboro Baptist Church, the extremist organization best known for protesting high profile funerals, is planning to take to Monteith's ceremony.

Yesterday (July 14) following the news of Monteith's death, Westboro Baptist Church spokeswoman Shirley Phelps-Roper tweeted: "Westboro Baptist Church is GLEE-ful over God's righteous judgment to end @CoryMonteith's life! Funeral picket soon!"

The church's official Twitter explained away Monteith's death and girlfriend Lea Michele's sorrow because they enabled Chris Colfer and his character on GLEE, who is openly gay.

According to the Huffington Post, however, if WBC wants to picket Monteith's funeral they may have issues if its in his home country of Canada. In 2008, the "church" wanted to protest a funeral for a 22-year-old murder victim. However, the Canadian Border Control was told to not let anyone with Westboro paraphernalia in to the country.

Luckily for Michele and Monteith's family, the vast majority of the world and Hollywood has been highly sympathetic and in mourning. On Sunday, Gleeks and celebrities alike took to Twitter to express their sadness about the actor's passing.

His GLEE costar Matthew Morrison dedicated a performance to the fallen star last night, Gleeks at a convention in London celebrated and mourned together.

GLEE costar Naya Rivera sent a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, saying: "The entire Glee family and I are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Cory was and always will be a part of my own family and a good friend. He was a special part of this world and will forever be missed. My heart goes out to Cory's family and Lea and while we are grateful for everyone's well wishes, privacy during this time of grief is greatly appreciated."

Meanwhile, his girlfriend Lea Michele's representative asked for privacy during this "devastating time."

Tags

Cory Monteith, GLEE, Naya Rivera, Twitter, Death, Funeral