Cruise Calls Travolta Tragedy 'Horrific,' Defends Scientology

Tom Cruise made a return visit to ABC's "The View" today to promote his new film "Valkyrie." Mr....

Tom Cruise made a return visit to ABC's "The View" today to promote his new film "Valkyrie." Mr. Cruise spoke publicly for the first time about the death and swirling rumors connected to 16-year-old Jett Travolta, the son of his friend and colleague John Travolta.

(Getty Images/AP Photo)

Scientology, Celebrities, Community to Serve as Comfort

"He's been a Scientologist for many years. I'd imagine that would give him comfort now," Thompson said. "It's controversial for some, but the religion has done him well."

Other celebrities have come out to support the Travoltas as well. On Wednesday, Lisa Marie Presley, a follower of the religion, defended Scientology in a MySpace.com blog while expressing condolences over Jett's death. "I am writing this because I have noticed that for the most part, people and the media have been very sympathetic and respectful, but there are those certain ones that want to use this horrible tragedy as an opportunity to once again, blame and-or attack Scientology."

She called the belief that scientologists don't allow medical care "garbage" and said Travolta and his wife were on a "tireless, never ending quest to get and provide him [Jett] with the absolute best care anyone could ever ask for and need."

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Inside a Scientology Funeral

The Travoltas will likely have a church-inspired funeral for Jett, church observers say. The Church of Scientology released a statement to ABC News detailing its views on death and funerals.

"In Scientology we believe that you have lived before and that you will live again," the statement said. "The spirit, which is you, is immortal and you are not your body. You as an individual are an immortal spiritual being and simply put, you have lived before and will live again, lifetime after lifetime. In Scientology these past existences are simply referred to as past lives.

"The Scientology funeral service celebrates the life of the person who has departed his body," the church's statement continued. "Friends and family have the opportunity to say goodbye, to acknowledge and thank the person for what he or she has done in this lifetime, and to wish them well as they move on to their next lifetime. The service is a reaffirmation of the knowledge that we are immortal spiritual beings."

Stephen Kent, a professor of sociology and alternative religions at the University of Alberta and an expert on Scientology, elaborated on typical proceedings.