The body of Michaela Harte has arrived back in Ireland this lunchtime accompanied by her brother Mark; her husband, John McAreavey; and his brother Brian.
Her coffin was flown overnight from Mauritius to London and transferred to a flight to Belfast City airport which landed shortly after midday.
It is understood a short prayer ceremony was to be held before her coffin was taken the 100km to her late family home outside Ballygawley in Co Tyrone.
Preparations for the return of her body intensified near the Hartes' home in Glencull, a quiet and scenic townland just outside Ballygawley.
The country road leading to the house has been closed to all but close friends and relatives. Two marquees have been constructed in the grounds of the house and in a field across the road.
Temporary arc lights and electricity generators are also in place. Volunteer stewards, many of them wearing GAA jackets, have been accommodating callers to the house and quietly insisting that reporters, camera crews and others remain some distance away.
A private prayer service at St Malachy's church nearby where the couple married on December 30th is planned for later this evening. Both the Harte and McAreavey families issued a joint statement calling for privacy.
"As Michaela returns home we respectfully ask for full privacy to allow our two families, united in sorrow, to have the space and time to spend with a much-loved wife, daughter and sister," the statement said.
"Therefore the wake and private family service on the evening of Friday 14th January will be for immediate family only."
It is understood the families will welcome others wishing to pay their respects tomorrow and Sunday will be welcome to do so.
"We are all grateful for the prayers and support we have received from all parts of Ireland, the UK and across the world. This support has helped sustain us physically, emotionally and spiritually through these darkest of days.
"The distance from Mauritius has only increased our sense of isolation and separation from our beloved Michaela and her husband John. Now as two heartbroken and devastated families, together we can share our grief and our love for Michaela and provide support and comfort to John."
The requiem Mass at St Malachy's is scheduled for lunchtime on Monday with interment in the small adjoining cemetery afterwards. President Mary McAleese is among those who will attend the mass.
Park and ride facilities are being organised in anticipation of significant crowds on Monday. A press centre is also to be set up at the small St Malachy's primary school midway between the Hartes' home and the church where the funeral is to be held. Michaela attended the school as a young child.
There is intense interest in the tragedy right across society in Northern Ireland and beyond. Both the BBC and ITN in London have carried reports of the murder case in Mauritius and reporters from international media have also filed on the story.