Only two people attended David Hockney’s funeral last week, just as the British artist had requested.
The private ceremony was attended by his 61-year-old partner, Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima, and his 33-year-old great-nephew, Richard Hockney, a photographer who worked as the artist’s assistant and often modeled for him. Both are trustees of the David Hockney Foundation, which the artist set up in 2008.
When the pioneering painter of The Splash passed away peacefully at his home on June 11 at the age of 88, Keir Starmer and King Charles were among those who praised his “vivid, instantly recognizable” work and his “irrepressible charm, talent, and constant innovation.”
Although Hockney wanted his funeral to be a small, private affair, his publicist, Erica Bolton, announced that his life and work would be celebrated through a series of memorial services in places he had lived around the world, including London and Yorkshire.
Bolton said: “We have been overwhelmed by your tributes, which have meant so much to us, and we wanted to thank you.
“Since we’ve received so many questions about David Hockney’s funeral and memorials, we want to make it clear that it was David’s wish that only his partner, JP, and his great-nephew Richard attend his funeral, and that their privacy be respected. The funeral has already taken place.
“Also in line with David’s wishes, we can announce that the first memorial service celebrating his life and work will be held in London in spring 2027, followed later by services in Yorkshire, Paris, and Los Angeles.”
She added that most of Hockney’s works from his private collection would be given to foundations and public institutions around the world “to further his legacy.”
Hockney turned down a knighthood in 1990, and 13 years later, in a 2003 interview with his local newspaper, Bradford’s Telegraph & Argus, he explained why. “I don’t like fuss,” he said. “I don’t value prizes of any kind. I value my friends.”
Hockney is believed to have created around 35,000 artworks over his six-decade career, including the Queen Elizabeth II window at Westminster Abbey, where the London memorial is likely to be held.
He donated about 8,000 works to his foundation, which were collectively valued at over £1 billion in 2024.
A free exhibition, David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts About Painting, runs until August 23 at the Serpentine in London.
Next year, two more exhibitions of Hockney’s work will be held at Tate Britain and in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern.
There was a surge in demand for the artist’s work at Art Basel last week, where buyers had one of the first chances since his death to purchase his work in person.
Clare McAndrew, author of The Art Basel and US Global Art Market Report, told the Observer there had been a “supply grab” of Hockney’s paintings, with demand reportedly rising by more than 1,200% in the 48 hours after his death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about David Hockneys private funeral written in a natural tone with clear concise answers
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Wait David Hockney died When did that happen
No David Hockney is still alive and well This FAQ is about a hypothetical scenario or a specific artworkevent related to the idea of a private funeral with only two people attending
2 If he did pass away why would his funeral be so private
David Hockney is famously private about his personal life A funeral with only two attendees would likely be his explicit wish to avoid media attention and keep the ceremony deeply personal and intimate
3 Who would the two people be
Its speculative but they would almost certainly be his closest family member and his longtime partner or a very close friend
4 Is it common for famous artists to have such small funerals
No its very uncommon Most famous figures have large public or invitationonly funerals A twoperson funeral is extremely rare and would be a deliberate radical choice to avoid any public spectacle
Advanced Interpretive Questions
5 Could this be a reference to one of Hockneys artworks
Yes its very possible Hockney often explores themes of intimacy isolation and the passage of time A twoperson funeral could be a conceptual artwork or a reference to a piece about a single relationship or a very private moment
6 What would be the benefit of such a tiny funeral
The main benefit is total control over grief It eliminates any performance of sadness for the public avoids media intrusion and ensures the final moment is solely about the deceased and the two living people who mattered most
7 Whats a common problem with a funeral this small
The biggest problem is the potential for legal or logistical disputes Without witnesses there could be challenges with the will estate or simply the emotional burden on the two attendees who must handle everything alone
8 How would the public even find out about it
Most likely through a brief formal statement from his gallery or family long after the event There would be no obituary until after the funeral and no photos or details would be released
Practical
