David Hockney’s funeral takes place privately with just two in attendance

The funeral of David Hockney has taken place in private with just his partner Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima and great-nephew Richard in attendance, his publicist has confirmed.

A number of memorial services for the artist will take place from next year after Hockney, best known for works such as The Splash, A Bigger Splash, and Portrait Of An Artist (Pool With Two Figures), died peacefully at his home aged 88 on June 11.

His publicist Erica Bolton said: “We have been overwhelmed by your tributes which have meant so much to us and we wanted to thank you.

“As we have already received so many inquiries about David Hockney’s funeral arrangements and memorials, we would like to clarify that it was David’s clear wish that his funeral should be attended only by his partner, JP, and his great-nephew Richard; and that their privacy would be respected.

“The funeral has already taken place.

“Also in accordance with David’s wishes, we are able to announce that the first memorial service to celebrate David’s life and work will be held in London in spring 2027, followed at later dates by memorials in Yorkshire, Paris and Los Angeles.”

She went on to say that the majority of Hockney’s works would now be given to foundations and public institutions around the world “in furtherance of his legacy”.

Ms Bolton said Hockney did not have a collection of artworks by other painters, and none of his own work was stored at his properties in the UK, France and the US.

During his lifetime, Hockney was lauded for his use of different formats, embracing digital art and the use of iPads as much as traditional painting.

He trained at the Bradford School of Art in the 1950s, followed by the Royal College of Art in London, where he graduated with gold medal distinction in 1962 and subsequently emerged as one of the seminal talents in the new generation of British artists.

In 2017, he was invited by the Dean of Westminster Abbey to produce the stained-glass Queen’s Window in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, which was unveiled in October 2018.

He was appointed by the late Queen to the Order of the Companions of Honour in 1997 and to the Order of Merit in 2012.

In 2026, Hockney became one of the few non-French citizens to be awarded the rank of officer in France’s prestigious Legion d’Honneur.