David Bowie's friends and family will celebrate his life in a private ceremony in the coming weeks. The Starman singer, who passed away on Sunday, will be remembered in a service that pays tribute to a "beloved husband, father and friend."
Confirmation of the service was released on the singer's official Facebook page on Thursday, with the family also expressing their gratitude for the love and support they have received in the days since David's death.
David Bowie's family are organising a private memorial for the star
"The family of David Bowie is currently making arrangements for a private ceremony celebrating the memory of their beloved husband, father and friend," the statement read. "They ask once again that their privacy be respected at this most sensitive of times.
"We are overwhelmed by and grateful for the love and support shown throughout the world."
The family continued to say that while concerts and tributes to David are "welcome", none of them have been "organized or endorsed" by his family.
THANK YOUThe family of David Bowie is currently making arrangements for a private ceremony celebrating the memory of...
Posted by David Bowie on Thursday, 14 January 2016
The family thanked fans for their "love and support"
The note concludes: "Just as each and every one of us found something unique in David's music, we welcome everyone's celebration of his life as they see fit."
The announcement coincided with reports that David has been secretly cremated in New York, without any of his friends or family present. The 69-year-old reportedly told friends that he "wanted to go without any fuss" and not have a funeral in his honour.
"There is no public or private service or a public memorial. There is nothing," a source told The Mirror: "In many respects you don't need a memorial or service to remember David by… you have his music instead.
"He would have wanted to just disappear with no fuss, no big show, no fanfare. This would totally be his style. His last album Blackstar was very much his goodbye to fans instead."