David Bowie’s body ‘secretly cremated in New York without family present’

The 69-year-old reportedly did not want a fuss 

Heather Saul
Thursday 14 January 2016 09:32 GMT
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A woman leaves a bouquet at a mural of David Bowie in Brixton
A woman leaves a bouquet at a mural of David Bowie in Brixton

David Bowie’s body has reportedly been secretly cremated without any family members present because the iconic singer wanted “to go without any fuss”.

Bowie kept his cancer diagnosis a secret from the world for 18 months. He was cremated in New York without friends or his relatives present to respect his final wishes, according to a report by The Daily Mirror.

A source in New York told the paper there would be no public service or memorial to commemorate his life. A second US source added: “In many respects you don’t need a memorial or service to remember David by ... you have his music instead. He would have wanted to just disappear with no fuss, no big show, no fan-fare. This would totally be his style.”

A representative for Bowie’s estate told The Independent it was neither confirming nor denying the report.

Bowie’s final album Blackstar is considered his farewell to fans, with producer Tony Visconti describing it as his “parting gift” to the world. His death sparked an outpouring of tributes celebrating his life and Blackstar is set to reach number one in the UK charts on Friday.

Even those collaborating with him in the final weeks before his death had no idea he was gravely ill. Bowie's long-time friend and Chic co-founder Nile Rodgers, who survived prostate cancer, expressed his shock at finding out Bowie was diagnosed with cancer 18 months ago. “Because I've had my own fight with cancer for five years now, and even if I had a scintilla of a clue, I'd be there for him in a minute,“ he told Billboard. ”The best advice my friends who've gone through cancer have given me is this wonderful support mechanism.“

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