Single- and multi-span orthotropic functionally graded hollow cylinders subjected to axisymmetrical bending are investigated on the basis of a unified shear deformable shell theory, in which the transverse displacement is expressed by means of a general shape function. To approach the through-thickness inhomogeneity of the hollow cylinder, a laminated model is employed. The shape function therefore shall be determined for each fictitious layer. To improve the computational efficiency, we resort to a transfer matrix method. Based on the principle of minimum potential energy, equilibrium equations are established, which are then solved analytically using the transfer matrix method for arbitrary boundary conditions. Numerical comparisons among a third-order shear deformable shell theory, an exact elastic theory and the present theory are provided for a simply supported hollow cylinder, from which the present theory turns out to be superior in stress estimation. Distributions of displacements and stresses in single- and three-span hollow cylinders with different boundary conditions are also illustrated in numerical examples.