Prince: Singer Cremated Immediately After Autopsy

Following his autopsy on April 22, Prince's body was cremated in a Minneapolis funeral home. Get all of the details here! Prince was cremated following the completion of his autopsy on April 22. The "Purple Rain" singer's remains were cremated during an emotional ceremony held one day after his death. His loved ones, including sister Tyka Nelson, bid farewell to the icon before the cremation process started.

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HollywoodLife.com received the following statement from Prince’s publicist: “A few hours ago, Prince was celebrated by a small group of his most beloved: family, friends and his musicians, in a private, beautiful ceremony to say a loving goodbye. Prince’s remains have been cremated and their final storage will remain private. We ask for your blessings and prayers of comfort for his family and close friends at this time. The cause of death remains unknown and it will be at least four weeks before we receive the results of the autopsy.  An announcement will be made at a future date for a musical celebration.”

Prince was cremated at First Memorial Waterston Chapel only hours after his autopsy had been completed by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, RadarOnline first reported. Before he was cremated, his sister and other relatives were able to spend “several quiet minutes” with him.

Prince’s family were the only ones allowed in the funeral home during the service. Tyka’s husband, Maurice Phillips, walked outside during parts of the 4-hour ceremony. He told the outlet that Tyka was “saying her final goodbye” to her brother and “holding up as best as she can.”

A day after this private ceremony, photos were released of mourners setting up for a memorial service at his Paisley Park home. His sister looked distraught as she arrived to her brother’s home.

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Prince’s cremation seems very sudden considering the singer was only found dead on April 21. But according to the Minnesota Department of Health, there are only a few requirements that need to be met before one can be cremated: The coroner or medical examiner must give authorization, whoever the body was released to must give the OK, and a Disposition Permit is needed.

It will be several weeks before the world will know what killed Prince. Details from his autopsy exam won’t be disclosed until toxicology results come back.

The Oscar-winning singer was found dead in an elevator in his Paisley Park home on April 21. Police performed CPR on Prince, but he was already dead when they arrived. He had reportedly overdosed on Percocet days before his untimely death. Listen to Prince’s greatest hits here.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with Prince’s family and friends during this difficult time.