A Foreign Office statement issued on behalf of the family said: "We hope that those responsible for the deaths of our loved ones are brought swiftly to justice."
Saad al-Hilli, 50, was shot with his wife and mother-in-law, and a passing cyclist while on holiday.
His two daughters survived the attack.
An FCO statement issued on behalf of the relatives for the first time said: "The victim's family and I are heartbroken by this shocking crime and we have been touched by the expressions of sympathy from people all over the world.
"The victim's family are of Iraqi-Arabic origin. We are very grateful for the support provided by the British, French and Iraqi authorities during this difficult time. We hope that those responsible for the deaths of our loved ones are brought swiftly to justice.
"In the meantime, we would ask that the media understand that as a family we need time to grieve and we would therefore request that they respect our privacy at this intensely difficult time."
French investigators, assisted by British police officers, started examining the Claygate home of Mr al-Hilli, 50, on Saturday as part of an attempt to establish a motive for the murders.
Meanwhile, in a press conference on Wednesday, French prosecutor Eric Maillaud said cooperation between French and British police was important because "a great number of clues will be in the UK".
On Monday, investigators revealed that only one gun was used in the attack.
Officials told reporters in Annecy that ballistics tests found 25 spent cartridges left at the scene came from a 7.65mm calibre semi-automatic pistol.
It also emerged on Monday that French police had spoken briefly to seven-year-old Zainab, who was shot in the shoulder and hit around the head during the attack. She was brought out of an induced coma on Sunday.
Her four-year-old sister, Zeena, has returned to the UK and is under the care of the authorities and social services.
She lay undiscovered for eight hours in the car after last Wednesday's attack.
French investigators, assisted by British officers, started examining the Claygate home of Iraqi-born Mr al-Hilli, 50, on Saturday as part of an attempt to establish a motive for the murders.
The family were staying in a caravan at the neighbouring Le Solitaire du Lac campsite when the killings happened.
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