Mr. Nikos Kazantzakis, the distinguished Greek writer who died in Germany ten days ago, at the age of 72, was given a state funeral today at Herakleion, his birthplace in Crete.

He is buried at Fort Martinengo in the Venetian walls of Herakleion. Large crowds of Cretans attended the funeral and the Government was represented by the Minister of Education. The service was conducted by the Bishop of Crete.

The works of Mr. Kazantzakis aroused much controversy in Greece and one of them. The Last Temptation has been placed on the Vatican's index.

It was because of this controversy that the Greek Primate, Archbishop Theoklitos did not allow relatives to place the bosy in a church when it arrived from Germany. He asserted that religious fanatics might provoke disturbances. The body was flown to Crete where it lay in state until the funeral.

The writers body will be re-buried later at Mount Yuchla, near Knossos, where a monument will be erected. According to Mythology, the Cretan-born Jupiter is buried on the same mountain.