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A statue of George Harrison is covered with floral tributes in Cavern Walk, Liverpool. Photo: Reuters
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The family of George Harrison are preparing to scatter his ashes on a sacred river as it emerged the star has already been cremated.
The ex-Beatle's funeral ceremony was held just hours after he died in Los Angeles.
He was taken to a crematorium after his family held hands around his death-bed and said a simple prayer over his body, the funeral directors said.
His wife Olivia and son Dhani were given the ashes after the service, which cost less than £350, and were then reported to be preparing to cast them on a river in India, in accordance with his last wishes.
The River Yamuna runs through Harrison's favourite spiritual retreat and is thought to be the where the ashes will be scattered, though the family have yet to confirm the location.
Profoundly spiritual, Harrison's faith meant his body should be cremated as quickly as possible.
Within 20 minutes of his death, staff from funeral firm Hollywood Forever were on their way to the Los Angeles home of "bodyguard-to-the-stars" Mr Gavin de Becker, where he died.
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Musicians play a George Harrison song as people gather to mourn the late Beatle at the 'Imagine' circle in the Strawberry Fields area of New York's Central Park. Photo: Reuters
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Meanwhile, in Harrison’s birthplace, Liverpool, the city remembered a man described as as an inspirational musician, a spiritual man of conviction and a reluctant celebrity.
Outside the house where Harrison was born 58 years ago, fans from as far afield the United States and Australia braved the northern English cold to pay tribute to the man known as the "Quiet Beatle."
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A fan lights a candle at an improvised shrine in Mexico
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Mr Eddie Porter, who guides fans around the city on a Beatles Magical Mystery Tour, held a minute's silence outside the red painted house for the youngest member of the Fab Four.
Mr Porter turned his tour into a George Harrison tribute, playing his music and songs as the 34-year-old blue and psychedelic bus revisited places immortalized in Beatles' songs.
The bus, an exact copy of the one used in the Beatles' film "Magical Mystery Tour" took fans from the bank, barber's shop and bus shelter made famous in the 1967 hit "Penny Lane" to the red gates of the Strawberry Fields children's home sung about in "Strawberry Fields Forever."
Mr Mike Byrne, creator of the Beatles Story museum at the city's renovated Albert Dock, said more than twice the average number of visitors had flooded to his museum on Saturday to pay their respects and sign a book of condolence.
"I think people in Liverpool will remember George as a very nice man. He was very well respected, not controversial in any way. He did not seek attention. He wanted to stop Beatlemania," he said.
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A fan leaves the Cavern Club, where the Bealtes payed at the beginning of their career, after signing a book of condolence
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"The people in the business recognised that the songs he wrote like 'Something' and 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' were special," he added.
Flags were flown at half mast outside the city hall while inside a shopping centre near the site of the Cavern Club, where the Beatles played 292 times, flowers, pictures, cards and written tributes surrounded statues of the band.
Harrison's statue had flowers and photographs stuffed between it and his guitar.
"To George: Thank you for making my teenage years more wonderful," one local woman had written, while another walked silently up to the statues, tears in her eyes, clutching a single red rose.
A long-time devotee of Hare Krishna, Harrison was always in search of religious meaning in his life.
Mr Steve Barnes, manager of the "From Me to You" shop which sells Beatles memorabilia across from the "Lucy in the Sky" cafe, said Harrison had gone to the great Cavern in the sky. Others agreed.
"You will always be alive because we have your beautiful music and our love for you. Don't rest in peace. Get your guitar and give God a treat. Oh, and say hi to John," another tribute said.
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