Amy Winehouse's family share their grief with her fans

Mitch and Janis Winehouse wept as they looked at the flowers, candles, cuddly toys and even cigarette boxes and alcoholic drinks left at the edge of police cordons that surround their daughter's house in Camden, north London.

Mr Winehouse, who flew back from New York after hearing of his daughter's sudden death, told a crowd gathered outside that they were "devastated", adding: "You people in the street, I can't tell you what this means to us - it really is making this a lot easier for us."

It is understood the singer's funeral could take place as early as today, as Jewish law insists a service has to take place as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours of death.

While the inquest has been opened and adjourned, with no cause of death given, her parents have been given the necessary paperwork to make funeral plans.

Mr Winehouse said: "Amy was about one thing, and that was love. Her whole life was devoted to her family and her friends, and to you guys as well.

"We're devastated and I'm speechless, but thanks for coming."

The circumstances surrounding the singer's death were described yesterday as "non-suspicious" by coroner's officer Sharon Duff.

Ms Duff told the two-minute hearing: "I bring before you the death of Amy Jade Winehouse, aged 27, born on 14 September, 1983, in London.

"She was a divorced lady, living at Camden Square, NW1. She was certified dead at her home by a paramedic and a doctor on 23 July.

"She was a singer-songwriter at the time of her death and was identified by her family here at St Pancras this morning."

Ms Duff went on: "A section 20 post-mortem has been carried out and histology and toxicology samples taken to determine the cause of death.

"The scene was investigated by police and determined non-suspicious."

The coroner adjourned the inquest until 26 October. A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday afternoon but proved inconclusive.

The cause of death will now be determined by the results of the toxicology tests.

The singer had battled addiction to drugs and alcohol for years, too often making the headlines for her erratic behaviour, destructive relationships and aborted performances.

The troubled artist had cancelled all tour dates and engagements last month after a series of erratic public appearances. She was booed at a shambolic performance in Serbia.However, news of her death has returned her last album, Back to Black, to No 1 in a dozen countries including Britain, France and the United States.

Meanwhile, comedian and actor Russell Brand, a former drug addict, wrote a lengthy tribute in which he urged the media and public to change the way addiction is perceived - "not as a crime or a romantic affectation but as a disease that will kill".

He wrote: "Winehouse and I shared an affliction, the disease of addiction.

"Addiction is a serious disease; it will end with jail, mental institutions or death."

Among the fans who arrived with floral tributes yesterday was Ethna Rouse, who had her four-year-old son with her.

She said: "I'll remember her as a troubled soul, like many artists in the world - they are tortured souls, and that's where the talent comes from."