Prince’s body has been cremated in a private family ceremony.

The music superstar, 57, was pronounced dead at his Paisley Park estate near Minneapolis on Thursday morning after he was found collapsed in a lift.

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He was cremated after his body was released to his family on Friday afternoon, following a post-mortem examination.

Family and friends were pictured arriving on Saturday at Paisley Park, where it is believed a private memorial was held.

Percussionist Sheila E and bassist Larry Graham have both been spotted at Paisley Park, his studio compound in Chanhassen.

Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson and brother-in-law Maurice Nelson have also been seen on the grounds.

Despite amassing a fanbase of millions and plenty of celebrity friends, Prince tragically died alone.

In the day following his death from unknown causes at his Paisley Park estate in Minneapolis, details have emerged of the music icon’s final hours.

Prince was last seen arriving home alone on Wednesday at 8pm (local time), after which he had a phone conversation with actor Will Smith.

That remains his last known interaction with another person.

When staff couldn’t reach him on Thursday, they went to check on him and found him sprawled and unresponsive in an elevator at 9.43am. He was pronounced dead at 10.07am.

Prince’s opulent Paisley Park estate. Photo: Getty

After two divorces, Prince was unmarried and childless at the time of his passing, raising questions as to who would inherit his fortune.

A multi-million dollar legacy

With more than 40 million album sales, a song catalogue worth US$100 million and a sprawling nine-acre Minnesota mansion valued at US$7.01 million, Prince’s fortune is large.

It is estimated to be more than US$300 million.

That’s not counting what will surely be explosive music sales following his death, as well as the proceeds from his exclusive streaming deal with Jay-Z’s Tidal service.

On top of that, tax records show Prince owned at least two other properties in Minneapolis, with a collective value of just over US$17 million.

Perhaps the most valuable element of this portfolio are his songs, the rights of which he acquired from Warner Bros in a landmark 2014 deal.

Tyka Nelson, Prince’s sister, in 1988. Photo: Getty

The sole heir

In the absence of an updated will, the woman likely to inherit this impressive fortune is Tyka Nelson, Prince’s sister and only surviving full-blood relative.

Under Minnesota law, if a person has left no will and has no spouse or children, their inheritance goes first to their grandchildren, then to the parents and siblings, followed by any other family members.

Prince is survived only by Nelson, 55, and three half-siblings.

While Nelson appears to be the obvious choice, there is speculation the superstar may leave his fortune to the Jehovah’s Witness church he regularly attended following his conversion to the faith in 2003.

Kingdom Hall in Saint Louis Park, less than a kilometre from Prince’s home, was a haven for the pop star and he attended regular services, known as meetings, there.

The church released a brief statement following the star’s death, saying he “found fulfilment as a Witness and in sharing his faith with others.”

“We do not have any details regarding his medical condition or the cause of his death.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends, particularly his fellow worshippers in the Saint Louis Park congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Minnesota.”

A small tribute outside Paisley Park. Photo: Getty

A strained relationship

Nelson appeared outside Paisley Park on the day of her brother’s death, laying a single rose and thanking waiting fans for their support.

“Thank you for loving him, y’all,” she said to the crowd, “and he loved each and every one of you.”

While the pair grew close in later years, they reportedly grew apart due to Nelson’s struggles with drug abuse.

In an interview with City Pages in 2008, Nelson revealed she began smoking weed when she was 13 and struggled with self-esteem issues.

“I listened to other people say, ‘You’re ugly, you’re fat, you’re stupid,’ and I believed it. My brother, he just thought I was crazy.”

Prince, by comparison, avoided alcohol and drugs in accordance with his faith.

However, Prince was reportedly responsible for his sister entering rehab and getting her life on track.

As for the cause of Prince’s death, that will remain unclear until the full results of the autopsy are released, which could take weeks.