The family of Linda McCartney, who died on Friday, returned to Britain yesterday after a private cremation ceremony near their holiday home in Santa Barbara in the United States.
The former Beatle, Paul McCartney, and the couple's children, Mary, Stella James and Heather from Lady McCartney's first marriage, were understood to be comforting each other at their home near Rye, in Sussex.
Sir Paul is expected to issue a statement later this week and there are also plans to release up to six songs recorded by Lady McCartney shortly before her death. Her ashes have been scattered on the family farm at Peasmarsh, East Sussex, according to the Sun. 991602702 Mr Geoff Baker, a close friend of Sir Paul described the death of Lady McCartney as "totally unexpected. We have never experienced anything like this before. I don't know if anybody has.
"There had been no signs of any reversal in her condition and her battle against the breast cancer had appeared to be going well."
He said Lady McCartney had recorded "at least six" songs recently and that Sir Paul was "determined" that they should be released as planned.
The Vegetarian Society and the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, both of which were supported by Lady McCartney, have indicated that plans are underway to honour their former patron.
Earlier, Lady McCartney's publicist, Mr Geoff Martin, said a memorial service was being planned to enable friends and relatives to pay their own tribute.
He also appealed to the media to give the family time to grieve: "The coming days are going to be very difficult for Paul . . . please respect how Paul and the family are feeling and give them time and space alone.
"Linda was not only kind and loving she was also a pioneering woman who made stand after stand for those not as strong as herself. It is not every woman who could take on the meat and livestock industry and who could risk being laughed at in order to save the lives of many animals . . ."
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for McVitie's Prepared Foods, the company that produces Lady McCartney's frozen food range, said it would not rush into any decisions about the future of the product.