Boy George has offered to pay for Pete Burns’ funeral upon learning he was struggling financially prior to his death.

The singer made the kind decision when he heard that his friend – who died on October 23rd from a massive cardiac arrest – was reportedly “penniless.” His ex-wife Lynne Corlett and husband Michael Simpson were in the process of organizing a fan page to receive contributions for the funeral costs.

An insider shared with The Sun on Sunday newspaper: “It is very sad, but Pete died absolutely penniless and there is no money for a funeral.

At one point Lynne and Michael were discussing with Pete’s friends setting up a crowdfunding page to pay for it. But people were not happy about that as they thought it would be undignified for Pete.

Pete never really got his life together and was very disorganised which is why there was nothing left. When George got wind of this, he offered to pay for the whole thing straight away.

He told Lynne not to worry and said he would take care of it. He thinks she and Michael have enough on their plates and wanted to take this concern away from them.

It is a very generous gesture – and typical of George. As soon as he heard there was a problem he did not hesitate to sort it out.

He was devastated by the news and Pete was a great friend of his. And it is strangely fitting that one Eighties legend should help out another in this way.”

While a date and venue are still unknown, it is likely to take place in London followed by a wake at the Groucho Club in the same area.

The source continued: “It will be a send-off with style and should be like a who’s who of the 1980s.”