New Zealand pays final tributes to Sir Edmund (+photos, video)

The casket leaves St Mary's under a guard of honour. Photo / Phil Walters

Sir Edmund Hillary's casket has been driven to a private cremation following the mountaineer's state funeral at St Mary's Church in Parnell.

More than 1000 people lined the route of Sir Edmund's funeral cortege along Khyber Pass Rd to Newmarket, Auckland, on the way to the cremation at Purewa Cemetery.

Most huddled under shelters against the rain, waiting patiently for the hearse to pass.

Hundreds of people in Auckland's Domain applauded as the hearse passed in a 10 vehicle procession lead by three police motorbikes.

Dave Dobbyn's Loyal played over a PA system.

Spontaneous clapping also broke out among the crowds lining Broadway and Remuera Road.

Crowds in the middle of Newmarket - where the shops closed out of respect for Sir Edmund - stood four to five deep watching the passing funeral cortege.

Bars closed their doors as a mark of respect and punters came out onto the streets to watch the hearse.

Members of the armed forces earlier carried Sir Edmund's casket out of St Mary's under an archway of icepicks as a lone piper played Abide with Me.

Dozens of Hillary College students performed a rousing haka as the casket passed into the courtyard of Holy Trinity Cathedral, where it was placed in the hearse.

Sir Edmund's funeral concluded with a blessing following the National Anthem and prayers from the Dean of Christchurch Peter Beck and Bishop of Auckland John Paterson.

The congregation at St Mary's and New Zealanders watching broadcasts around the country heard a series of moving eulogies by family, dignitaries and friends during the service.

Prime Minister Helen Clark described Sir Edmund as a "colossus" and a hero, whose legacy would endure.

Sir Edmund's children, Sarah and Peter Hillary, followed the Prime Minister's eulogy with their own, sharing personal moments with their father, before grandson Sam Mulgrew spoke.

Peter Hillary told mourners that "adventure was compulsory in the curriculum of the Hillary family, while Sarah said: "Ed loved to laugh and his dry wit was irresistible."