James Brown's daughter Deanna Brown leans down to kiss her father's body after fixing his hair during the public funeral at the James Brown Arena in Augusta, Georgia, in December. - Reuters

(AP):

James Brown's body was placed in a crypt on Saturday at the Beech Island home of one of his daughters, family and friends of the soul singer said.

White balloons were released and Brown's adult children and other family members and friends sang and prayed over the singer's body, said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who presided over the noon ceremony.

Also at the service were Brown's partner, Tomi Rae Hynie, and the couple's young son, who led the procession. "This is what James wanted, for the family to come together. Everyone really felt like James was there with us," Hynie told The Associated Press by phone.

The service took place more than two months after the singer died in an Atlanta hospital. Brown died December 25 at age 73, and his body had been held at an undisclosed location since then.

The crypt likely will not be Brown's final resting place. A public mausoleum is being built and its location will be announced once it is completed, the family said.

Brown's children decided to use their own money to place his body in the crypt instead of waiting for disputes over his estate to be settled in court, Sharpton said in a statement.

"Where he is now has nothing to do with court proceedings," Sharpton said.