Paying for Paterno's memorial

Penn State's athletic department will pay much of the cost for the memorial services and public viewings for Joe Paterno, a school spokesman confirmed, with the university paying the remainder.

An initial estimate is expected to be available Friday after tabulations are made by departments across the campus, such as the police and physical plant.

The Paterno family will pay for the cost of the funeral, said Jeff Nelson, the assistant director for athletic communications.

"Coach Paterno was an Intercollegiate Athletics employee so it made sense for Athletics to take the lead on securing facilities and assisting with planning and logistics," Nelson said. "We had the ability to pay for some of the costs of the services since we are a self-supporting unit."

The athletic department has its own budget.

Paterno died of lung cancer on Jan. 22. Two days of public viewings on campus at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center drew 37,000 people. More than 12,000 people attended a public memorial service at the Bryce Jordan Center.