Who gets Smith's body determined by Friday

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Broward County, Fla., Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin said he expects to rule by Friday who will receive Anna Nicole Smith's body for burial.

"I'm going to try and fashion a remedy that suits all parties," Seidlin said Wednesday.

Determining who gets Smith's body became more pressing after Broward Medical Examiner Joshua Perper said it was deteriorating at a faster rate than expected. Smith died Feb. 8 in a Hollywood, Fla., hotel room of unknown causes.

News that Smith's body was deteriorating caused lawyers and family members to try to figure out viewing arrangements, the Miami Herald reported. During Wednesday's session, Perper alerted Seidlin that preparations were under way for a viewing.

During testimony, Virgie Arthur, Smith's estranged mother, said she would "never throw in the towel" on her daughter.

"That's why I'm here," she said.

Arthur wants Smith's body to be buried in Texas. She also testified that she wants the body of Smith's son, Daniel, who is buried in the Bahamas, also to be buried in Texas.

Smith's companion, Howard K. Stern, wants the body for burial in the Bahamas next to Smith's son, which he said was what Smith wanted.