Leonard Cohen
Canadian singer, songwriter, novelist and poet Leonard Cohen died at the age of 82 Evening Standard/Getty Images

Leonard Cohen has already been laid to rest, it has been claimed. Hours after news broke of the Hallelujah singer's death, a friend said that a funeral had already been held.

In a message posted to the singer-songwriter's online forum on 11 November, a user by the name of Marie Mazur said that Cohen – who is survived by his two children – was buried in Montreal in a quiet and private ceremony, having passed away on 7 November.

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"As was his wish, he was buried in a quiet and private ceremony in Montreal. Leonard is home again," she wrote. "We extend our condolences to Adam and Lorca [his children], Leonard's family and his friends."

She vowed to keep his legacy alive, adding: "We believe Leonard's music and poetry will continue to flourish long after his passing.

"We intend to keep the flame alive and hope your love of his work will continue to be expressed on this forum."

Sony confirmed the sad news of his death in a statement released on 11 November just weeks after releasing his 14th album, You Want It Darker. "We have lost one of music's most revered and prolific visionaries," it read.

Although his record label released no further details about his death, Cohen's son Adam told Rolling Stone that his father died peacefully at home "with the knowledge that he had completed what he felt was one of his greatest records. He was writing up until his last moments with his unique brand of humour."

A memorial service is expected to take place in Los Angeles at a later date.