Rodney King was remembered in Los Angeles on Saturday as a forgiving man who bore the scars of his infamous beating with dignity.

The Rev Al Sharpton, who delivered the eulogy at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, said before the funeral that King never showed bitterness towards the officers who beat him. "People should not be judged by the mistakes that they make, but by how they rise above them," Sharpton said.

"Rodney had risen above his mistakes, he never mocked anyone, not the police, not the justice system, not anyone. He became a symbol of forgiveness."

The funeral came nearly two weeks after King was found dead at the bottom of the swimming pool at his Rialto, California home on June 17. He was 47. Family members held a private service early in the day, followed by a public memorial and burial.

King's death is being treated as an accidental drowning, but authorities are awaiting autopsy results to determine the official cause of death.

King became famous after his beating by Los Angeles police in 1991 was captured on videotape and broadcast worldwide. Photos of his bruised and bloodied face were also circulated. The images became a national symbol of police brutality. The video was played over and over for the following year, inflaming racial tensions across the country.

More than a year later, four officers charged with felony assault in the beating were acquitted by a jury with no black members. The verdict sparked one of the most costly and deadly race riots in US history.

During the unrest, which left more than 50 people dead and caused more than $1bn in property damage, King famously pleaded for peace by asking: "Can we all get along?"

His famous words were embroidered on the lid of King's casket, next to a portrait of him.