Dev Anand's funeral to be held in London on Saturday

Legendary actor-filmmaker Dev Anand's last rites will be performed in London on Saturday, following which his ashes will be flown to India for a memorial ceremony in Mumbai, the centre of the thespian's work for six decades.

This was decided after the departed actor's wife Kalpana Kartik, and daughter Devina arrived in London on Wednesday morning from Mumbai.

The family confirmed that the funeral of Bollywood's ever green hero would be held on December 10 at 11.40 am at the Putney Vale Crematorium in London.

It will be followed by a memorial service at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London the same day at 2 pm.

His ashes will later be taken back to India, where a ceremony of remembrance will be held in Mumbai.

Dev Anand died of cardiac arrest on December 3 at the Washington Hotel in London at the age of 88, leading to an outpouring of grief from his fans across the globe.

His son Suniel Anand was with him during his last days.

Suneil and Dev Anand's nephew Tony Sarin said in a statement that "in due course, Dev Anand's ashes will be taken back to India, where a major ceremony of remembrance will be held in Mumbai.

"The family of Dev Anand are moved and touched by the outpouring of public sympathy and love emanating from India, South Asia and the rest of the world following the sad news of his passing away.

"Accordingly, they would like to express their sincere gratitude to everyone for their kind words and moral support. These have been of tremendous comfort and support to them throughout this very difficult period," they said.