'Overwhelmed' Bowie Family Plan Private Ceremony

David Bowie's family have said they are planning a "private ceremony celebrating the memory of their beloved husband, father and friend".

The post on his Facebook page follows a newspaper report claiming the singer was secretly cremated in New York without friends or family present.

"We are overwhelmed by and grateful for the love and support shown throughout the world," says the family statement - which begins with the words "THANK YOU".

It continues: "However, it is important to note that while the concerts and tributes planned for the coming weeks are all welcome, none are official memorials organised or endorsed by the family.

"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."

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Bowie's death from cancer on Sunday prompted a massive outpouring of tributes, with stars such as Sir Paul McCartney and Madonna among those praising his massive contribution to modern music.

The Daily Mirror, citing a US source, reported that Bowie has already been cremated "without any fuss" in New York - where he lived - and did not want a funeral or public memorial.

The rock icon's album, Blackstar, released just days before his death, is on course to top the chart in the UK and US this week.

Bowie also wanted to record one more album before he died, according to producer Tony Visconti

He told Rolling Stone: "At that late stage [about a week before his death], he was planning the follow-up to Blackstar ... I was thrilled, and I thought, and he thought, that he'd have a few months, at least.

"Obviously, if he's excited about doing his next album, he must've thought he had a few more months."