UPDATED 3.44pm Martin Crowe's brother Jeff led the tributes at the cricketing great's funeral at Auckland's Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell.

Jeff Crowe shared his memories of his "bold and beautiful brother" a fabulous, loving and caring father, a son of substance and a magnanimous mate.

"Marty may have left us but he is still within, you only have to look at Emma's eyes to know that he is looking back at you," he said.

Crowe's widow, Lorraine Downes, also paid tribute. She said she would "forever be grateful to my beautiful man."

"He was afraid to publicly voice his thoughts, and this was sometimes misunderstood. He was the most honest man I have ever met. He wasn't afraid to stand up against injustice," Downes said.

The casket of Martin Crowe. Photo / Greg Bowker

Former New Zealand wicket-keeper Ian Smith then honoured Crowe's performance as New Zealand captain and player of the tournament at the 1992 Cricket World Cup.

"No one person could've replicated his leadership and style, he was so unique," he said.

"Martin's standing and reputation in world cricket has always been the highest.

"One word sums up Martin Crowe to me - passion."

Martin Guptill, in a recorded a video message, said: "Hogan was so much more to me than someone who would help me with my game, he became my close friend. I am so lucky that I have so many memories to cherish."

Also in a recorded message, Ross Taylor said: "I must say goodbye to a good friend and mentor." 

Former school-mate and friend David Lyle Morris shared memories of being head prefect at Auckland Grammar School with Martin Crowe as his deputy, and then performed 'Stolen Years', a song he composed.

Six pallbearers - cousin and international actor Russell Crowe, stepson Hilton Mexted, rugby legend Grant Fox, brother Jeff Crowe, school-mate David Lyle Morris and friend Steve Wilkins - carried Crowe's casket out of the cathedral.

A haka by Auckland Grammar's kapa haka group echoed off the walls of the cathedral, and around the courtyard, as the casket was delivered to the hearse.

Crowe died last week after a long battle with lymphoma, aged 53.

Cousin Russell Crowe stands outside Auckland's Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, following the funeral.