Sir Edmund Hillary, the man who first conquered Mount Everest, was accompanied on his last journey by hundreds of mourners who gathered on Tuesday on the streets of Auckland to pay their last respects.

His funeral was broadcasted live in Antarctica and Nepal.

Sir Edmund’s casket was draped in New Zealand’s flag, with Nepali prayer scarves and with his axe and carved walking stick.

New Zealand’ Prime Minister, Helen Clark, read his eulogy in front of Buddhist monks, Nepali sherpas and mountaineers present in St. Mary’s Church.

“He went to a height and a place no man had gone before. Sir Ed's achievement on that day cannot be underestimated. He went there with 1950s, not 21st century, technology,” she said.

“We mourn as a nation because we know we're saying goodbye to a friend. Sir Ed described himself as a person of modest abilities. In reality he was a colossus. He was our hero. He brought fame to our country,” Clark added.

The mourning was led by Sir Edmund’s widow, Lady Hillary.

Almost 500 mourners came to the church to honor the first man who conquered Everest.

The service began with the ringing of the ship’s bell from HMNZS Endeavour, with which Hillary sailed in 1956 to Antarctica where he helped to raise the establishment of Scott Base research station of New Zealand.

The service was conducted by the Very Rev Ross Bay, Dean of the neighboring Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral who called Hillary an adventurer and great humanitarian, telegraph.co.uk reports.

Opera singer, Dame Malvina Major, Hillary’s favorite hymns, “How Great thou Art.”

Tenzing Norgay's son, Norbu, paid his respects too. He said: “He epitomized the true meaning of giving and never asked for anything in return. His love and dedication to the Sherpas was like that of a parent to a child, absolutely unconditional. While we mourn his loss, his spirit will forever live and protect the great mountain and the people he loved so much.”

Jan Morris, the journalist who accompanied Sir Edmund and Tenzing Norgay, the Nepali Sherpa on Mount Everest, in 1953 was also present.

Lord Falconer, the former Lord Chancellor represented Britain, and Anand Satyanand, New Zealand's Governor-General was present in the name of Queen Elizabeth II.

When the coffin left the church it was accompanied by 40 members of the New Zealand Alpine Club in a guard of honor carrying ice axes. Also the Maori schoolchildren sang a haka in tribute.

Many New Zealanders watched the cortege pass by and paid their last respects.

Hillary didn’t want memorials after “he kicked the bucket” only for the work he started as his foundation to be continued, Reuters informs.

The cortege took his body to a private cremation where only family and friends were to attend. Hillary’s request was to be cremated and for his ashes to be scattered in Auckland’s harbor.