David Bowie cremated quietly in New York

London: British music legend David Bowie has reportedly been secretly cremated in New York without any of his family or friends present.

The musician, who died at the age of 69 after losing his 18 month battle with cancer, had apparently told his family that he wanted to "go without any fuss" and they honoured his wish, reported the Daily Mirror quoting a source. The singer had also kept his fight with cancer a secret from fans and had told his family to not have a funeral or public memorial.

"There is no public or private service or a public memorial. There is nothing," the source added.

There has been an outpouring of tributes from fans since Bowie's death on Sunday which came as a shock to many as the singer had just released his music album 'Blackstar' on his birthday, just two days before his death.

However, it seems unlikely that there would be a funeral as his body was quietly cremated shortly after he died. The newspaper said that Bowie may have had a direct cremation' which is "the disposition of human remains by cremation without a formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony."

Bowie's producer, Tony Visconti, confirmed what many fans had speculated that 'Blackstar' was Bowie goodbye to his fans. "He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life - a work of art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift," Visconti wrote on his Facebook.