The funeral of David Hockney, widely regarded as Britain's best-known artist, has already taken place, his publicist confirmed.

The 88-year-old artist died earlier this month at his home in London. His passing prompted widespread tributes from contemporaries in the art world, the prime minister, and senior members of the Royal Family.

In accordance with his wishes, only his partner Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima and his great-nephew Richard Hockney attended the private ceremony, according to publicist Erica Bolton. Bolton also stated that a series of memorial services are planned for next year, with the first to be held in London in the spring.

Further memorials are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles and Paris, cities Hockney called home, as well as in his birthplace of Yorkshire. These events will likely offer a wider public opportunity to celebrate his life and career.

It has also been confirmed that the majority of Hockney's extensive body of work will be donated to foundations and public institutions worldwide. This significant contribution aims to preserve his artistic legacy for future generations.

Hockey, a defining figure of the pop art movement in the 1960s, enjoyed a career spanning seven decades. He became renowned for his vibrant and innovative artworks, which included landscapes of his native Yorkshire, iconic sun-drenched paintings of Los Angeles swimming pools, and later, digital iPad portraits.

His immense popularity endured throughout his life. In 2018, one of his celebrated swimming pool paintings fetched nearly £70 million at auction, setting a record for a living artist at the time. Some of his most recognized pieces include "The Splash," "A Bigger Splash," and "Portrait Of An Artist (Pool With Two Figures)."

Following the news of his death, King Charles expressed that he and Queen Camilla were greatly saddened, describing Hockney as "a giant of the world of art and painting, a Yorkshireman through and through, and a dear friend and inspiration to so many." Artist Dame Tracey Emin shared her privilege of knowing Hockney, calling him "a great artist and a wonderful man, who with the power of art changed the perception of Britishness." Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also conveyed his sadness, referring to Hockney as "one of Britain's most celebrated artists."

An exhibition of Hockney's work is currently on display at London's Serpentine Galleries until August.