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Churches around the country remembered Sir Edmund Hillary in their prayers and sermons on Sunday.
And while services remembered Sir Ed's great achievements yet humble manner, his final farewell will be far from modest.
Hillary will likely lie in state for 24 hours prior to his funeral at the Anglican Cathedral in Auckland, Tuesday week, and planning is well underway to host Sir Edmund's family and the dignitaries from near and far.
The great unknown though is just how many people who will make their own pilgrimage to say goodbye to the man who climbed to the top of the world.
"Given the honour that people give to Sir Ed we imagine there will be a good many people wanting to be present and feel that they've been part of this amazing event," says the Very Reverand Ross Bay.
The cathedral's Saint Mary's Church, which holds up to 400 people, will be the domain of the Hillary family and VIPs.
The cathedral itself can seat 1,000, and the Bay is likely to lead the service.
"It is a big thing and...an enormous honour and privilege to be doing it," says Bay.
Beyond New Zealand shores, a memorial service for Sir Edmund was held in Antarctica on Sunday afternoon.
The 30-minute service took place at the Chapel of the Snows at the United States' McMurdo Station near Scott Base.
Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Lou Sanson says it is a fitting location since Sir Edmund helped establish New Zealand's relationship with the Americans in Antarctica.
