David Bowie's family speak for the first time since his death.

The outpouring of love after the unexpected death of David Bowie at 69 left his family “overwhelmed” and “grateful”.

A statement posted by his family on the late musician’s Facebook page thanks fans for their support but requests their privacy continue to be respected.

Bowie’s wife Iman and his children are planning a private funeral to celebrate the life of the Thin White Duke.

They also noted that while “concerts and tributes planned for the coming weeks are all welcome, none are offical memorials organized or endorsed by the family”.

Bowie’s unexpected death has prompted myriad tributes from musicians.

A concert scheduled for March 31 in Carnegie Hall, New York will feature The Roots, Cyndi Lauper, Perry Farrell, Cat Power, Michael Stipe, Jakob Dylan. The Music of David Bowie was initially planned as a tribute but following Bowie’s death has turned into a memorial.

It’s already sold out and a second show has been scheduled.

Read the family’s full statement here:

Bowie’s final album, Blackstar, is set to become Bowie’s first number-one album in the US.

Producer Tony Visconti, who worked with Bowie on the album, said that although many see Blackstar as a farewell, Bowie was planning another album right up until the end of his life.

“I thought, and he thought, that he’d have a few months, at least. So the end must’ve been very rapid. I’m not privy to it. I don’t know exactly, but he must’ve taken ill very quickly after that phone call,” Viconti told Rolling Stone about a conversation the pair had a week before Bowie’s death.

The New York Daily News reports the singer’s body has been cremated in New York, and that no family or friends were present at the ceremony, as per Bowie’s wishes.