Ceremony for Swedish DJ, 28, attended by only his family and closest friends

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The funeral of the Swedish DJ and music producer Avicii, one of the biggest stars in electronic dance music, took place in a private ceremony in Stockholm last week, his publicist has said.

The musician, whose real name was Tim Bergling, “was buried [on] Friday at the Skogskyrkogården cemetery in Stockholm”, Ebba Lindqvist said on Tuesday. “Only his family and closest friends were present.”

Avicii, 28, was found dead on 20 April in Muscat, Oman, where he had been on holiday with friends.

Omani police said no evidence of foul play had been found. The cause of death has not been announced.

In an open letter published several days after his death, the DJ’s family said he “wanted peace” and “could not go on any longer”. “He really struggled with thoughts about meaning, life, happiness,” they wrote.

Avicii, who collaborated with Madonna and Coldplay, was one of the first DJs to break into the mainstream, with the hit songs Wake Me Up and Levels, as electronic dance music spread over the past decade from nightclubs to top 40 radio.

Skogskyrkogården (Woodland Cemetery) in southern Stockholm is a Unesco world heritage site that blends vegetation and architectural elements. The Swedish actor Greta Garbo is buried there.

Avicii retired from live performances in 2016 after years of intense touring that exacerbated his alcoholism, though he continued his studio work.

He had acute pancreatitis, which was partially blamed on his drinking. After having his gallbladder and appendix removed in 2014, he cancelled a series of shows in an attempt to recover.