Funerals can display the riches or influence of those who are gone, and elaborate rituals are often held to ensure that the deceased’s legacy is as strong after death as it was during life. Some funerals are so large-scale that they develop their own culture.
From Queen Elizabeth II to The Pope, from Michael Jackson to Princess Diana: Here are the most epic funerals in history.
PRINCESS DIANA’S FUNERAL WAS WATCHED BY BILLIONS
When Diana, Princess of Wales, married Prince Charles at the age of 20, she was immediately catapulted into the spotlight. She worked with organizations that supported the treatment of AIDS and the clearance of land mines during the 1980s and 1990s, at which time she rose to fame. She continued to have enormous global popularity even after her divorce from Prince Charles. It came as a surprise when she passed away in a vehicle accident in 1997 at the age of 36.
A large number of mourners lined the streets of London for Diana’s burial. The event was also live televised throughout the globe, which was still unique at the time. According to History, almost 2.5 billion people watched in total. It was a sensation, and images like the young Princes William and Harry following her coffin turned into cultural touchstones.
TUPAC SHAKUR WENT UP IN SMOKE
Tupac Shakur, a trailblazing artist, passed away at the age of 25 without a public burial. Tupac was cremated in a private ceremony at the request of his mother, Afeni Shakur. That would have been the end of the matter, but The Outlawz, one of Tupac’s most trusted partners, was able to obtain some of his ashes.
NME claims that the trio traveled to a beach in Los Angeles and scattered the ashes everywhere. Then they lit Tupac Shakur’s ashes on fire. They allegedly then dumped additional cannabis into the water along with other of Tupac’s favorite items, such as chicken wings and orange drink. The Outlawz could only have accomplished this by taking part in Tupac’s ashes, according to Afeni, who reportedly said she would never have consented to it. It’s not apparent who is giving the complete story in this instance.
KIM JONG-IL’S MEMORIAL STATUE COST MORE THAN MOST CELEBRITY FUNERALS
After the death of his father, Kim Il-sung, in 1994, Kim Jong-il assumed control of North Korea. Because the North Korean government is organized around its Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-il is essentially in charge of the country. Being the center of a cult of personality developed by the North Korean regime around its leaders is a significant component of this. When Kim Jong-il passed away in 2011, the North Koreans planned to hold a similarly huge official celebration as they did for Kim Il-sung.
A 20-meter-tall bronze monument of Kim Il-sung was erected in his honor on Pyongyang’s Mansu Hill in 1972. A similar one was created by Kim Jong-il after his passing. The fact is that a bronze monument that is 20 meters tall now costs a lot more money than one that was made in 1972.
WILLIE MCCOY HAD A MEATY MEMORIAL
Willie “Wolf Johnson” McCoy may not be a name you are familiar with, but you have undoubtedly heard his voice. One of Chili’s most well-known advertisements from the 1990s had chefs singing a song about their baby back ribs while working in the kitchen. The deep bass repeat of “Barbecue sauce” was one of the most memorable elements of the famed commercial. Willie McCoy was that deep voice.
McCoy was a professional singer for most of his life, and the Chili’s commercial was by far his most well-known recording. He also reportedly enjoyed the song. Enough so that when he passed away in 2012, he was buried in a casket resembling a barbeque smoker. According to Gawker, his funeral event featured ribs for visitors, a barbecue sauce fountain, and even a few real pigs roaming the area.
SINGER UMM KULTHUM
Umm Kulthum, one of the few individuals on this list who wasn’t a political figurehead, was a singer and performer whose popularity is reportedly unrivaled in the western world. Kulthum was one of the most well-known vocalists of her day, referred to as “Egypt’s fourth pyramid” and “the star of the east.” She was not merely a well-known vocalist, though. She disregarded the prevailing social mores and was able to win over anyone, regardless of social standing. She promoted pan-Arab unity at the same time, successfully bringing people together to the point that the president of the time would give remarks immediately following her broadcast concerts.
Almost everyone adored her, so when she passed away in 1975, over four million people from all walks of life showed there to pay their condolences. Traffic was stopped hours before the procession began since the route had been prepared months in advance.
AMY WINEHOUSE HAD A JAZZY FUNERAL
Famous people that attended Amy Winehouse’s private burial at London’s Edgwarebury Cemetery included Mark Ronson and Kelly Osbourne. During the Jewish ceremony, her loved ones performed Carole King’s “So Far Away,” one of her favorite songs, under the direction of Rabbi Frank Hellner. Her grandmother’s cremation took place at Golders Green Crematorium after Winehouse’s body was transported there.
These funerals for celebrities, although completely different from one another, will undoubtedly be remembered. High-profile funerals are a terrific opportunity for people to realize that there are various funeral options and methods to customize a funeral, according to Sarah Jones of Full Circle Funerals, who was speaking about the events. Additionally, more open funerals allow attendees to participate in the rite in their own way, which may be crucial for those who feel a connection to the deceased.
JAMES DOOHAN ENTERED THE FINAL FRONTIER
Star Trek is probably one of the first things that come to mind when you think about space-themed pop culture. The franchise has made a name for itself as one of the best sci-fi series ever throughout the course of countless TV programs and motion pictures. Therefore, it seemed obvious that those connected with the show would want to be part when Celestis, a business that will send a portion of a person’s ashes into space on a private rocket, appeared.
After a misshapen, A second attempt was made by Celestis in 2012, and it was successful in launching Doohan’s ashes into Earth’s orbit using an unmanned SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The ashes orbited as intended for nearly a year before gravity drew them back into the atmosphere, where they burnt up upon re-entry.
GENGHIS KHAN’S FUNERAL INSPIRED A LOT OF MURDER
The Mongolian warlord Genghis Khan was nearly as lethal in death as he was in life. He ruled over much of Asia. Genghis Khan held the most bloody funeral in history after passing away in 1277, maybe from wounds received in combat, sickness, or falling from his horse, depending on who you ask. According to The Vintage News, Genghis Khan had left instructions for his burial, asking that he be buried in the manner of his people. This meant he would be laid to rest in his native area, close to the Onon River, in an unmarked cemetery.
According to History, 800 warriors carried Khan’s body in a funeral procession. To guard the site of Khan’s burial and stop adversaries from desecrating his bones, the troops are reported to have slain everyone who attended the funeral as well as everyone they came across on the journey to Khan’s country.
FORMULA 1 DRIVER AYRTON SENNA
Vice summarizes who Ayrton Senna was: a Formula 1 world champion, and everybody who knows anything about racing has definitely heard this name. Not only was he the finest of his generation, but he was also a legend in the game and is regarded as one of the all-time greats. But he was also a sad character, passing suddenly in a horrifying collision that was broadcast globally in 1994. His passing deeply affected the racing world as well as Brazil, his homeland.
The Brazilian government announced three days of national mourning, and there were at least a million people waiting at the airport when Senna’s body was returned home. Three million people lined the streets to watch the parade as it wound across the city. Other well-known figures from the world of racing attended the funeral, including Alain Prost, Emerson, Christian Fittipaldi, and Frank Williams, to mention a few.
POPE JOHN PAUL II
In 2005, millions of people traveled from all over the world to attend the burial of Pope John Paul II. Two million visitors thronged St. Peter’s Basilica in the days preceding the burial to see the pope’s body. Four million pilgrims descended upon Rome, roughly tripling its population. Around 300,000 of them eventually managed to squeeze into St. Peter’s Square and Via della Conciliazione after many of them attempted to cram themselves inside the Vatican. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s remarks at the two and a half-hour Mass were cut short by applause at least ten times. The event concluded with a private burial in the Vatican crypts.
Apart from the enormous numbers, what’s particularly intriguing is how this funeral affected individuals all across the world. In addition to the millions of people in Rome, dignitaries from many other nations, including America, Syria, Iran, Jordan, Poland, and Britain, observed the service.
ALEXANDER THE GREAT HAD THE MOST EXPENSIVE FUNERAL IN HISTORY
One of the first people to establish an empire was Alexander the Great. Alexander, a king of Macedonia, conquered a sizable chunk of the world in a short period of time and was unbeatable in battle. Alexander, who traveled to Babylon in around 323 BCE, passed away at the early age of 32. According to stories at the time, he fell unwell and passed away over a number of days. Historiographers believe he was poisoned or contracted malaria.
Nevertheless, according to historian Diodoris, Alexander was said to have been transported from Babylon to Greece, where a specially constructed tomb awaited in a solid gold sarcophagus, which was then placed into a solid gold casket, which was then transported by a solid gold carriage pulled by 64 mules, who were not made of gold. Some contemporary sources put the cost of the burial at around $600 million in today’s dollars.
MICHAEL JACKSON HAD AN EXTRAVAGANT MEMORIAL
It was quite remarkable to see Michael Jackson’s 14-karat gold casket with blue velvet. Twelve days after his passing, on July 7, 2009, a public memorial ceremony for the King of Pop was conducted at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. In front of the stage stood Michael Jackson’s closed, solid-bronze casket lined with blue velvet and coated with 14-carat gold.
Jackson’s concert promoter, AEG Live, and AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC (Kenneth Ehrlich, executive producer), organized the memorial service. They distributed 17,500 complimentary tickets to fans worldwide through an online lottery that drew more than 1.2 million applicants in 24 hours and received more than half a billion hits to the website. Smokey Robinson opened the funeral by reading condolences from former South African president Nelson Mandela and Diana Ross.
SPIRITUAL LEADER MAHATMA GANDHI
Gandhi is one of the most significant political figures of the 20th century and is primarily responsible for India’s independence from Britain. Gandhi is also known for his use of nonviolent civil disobedience.
The public was stunned when he was slain by a Hindu extremist in 1948. In India of the Past, Jatinder Sethi described how receiving the news of Gandhi’s passing left him speechless and on the verge of disbelief. Following this, Gandhi’s remains were interred at Birla House, a mansion where visitors may pay their respects. Thousands of people queued up and waited all night to be able to do this. But the shock didn’t truly go away as a result. One to two million (depending on the source) people lined the streets for the procession route, which was roughly five miles long and lasted for nearly five hours.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II – BROKE ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS
The live telecast of Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral is expected to break all previous records and become the most watched live broadcast of all time. More than half of the world’s population watched the conclusion of the Second Elizabethan Age. Almost half a million people came to see the Queen’s coffin before the state funeral. Those unable to travel to the capital will turn on their televisions and watch the historic event live.
According to industry experts, about 4.1 billion people watched the funeral, breaking the prior record of 3.5 billion who reportedly watched Muhammad Ali open the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. About 2,000 participants will participate in the funeral ceremony, including 500 prime ministers, royalty, and presidents from around the world.
DAVID BOWIE – CREMATION CEREMONY
Pop-rock legend David Bowie has left behind one of the largest musical legacies. He battled liver cancer until just before his 69th birthday when he passed away. David Bowie, in contrast to numerous celebrities, opted not to hold any sort of burial service following his passing. Instead, his family promptly ordered that his corpse be cremated once he passed away.
Fans sought a method to pay tribute to their beloved Ziggy Stardust. As a consequence, one of London’s most famous paintings was created. The location of the his graffiti mural is in Brixton, where he grew up. Thousands of admirers flocked to the picture of Ziggy Stardust from his 1973 album Aladdin Sane in the days following the musician’s passing to show their respect.
WHITNEY HOUSTON – FIVE-HOUR SERVICE
In 2012, this 80s legend passed suddenly in a Beverly Hills hotel room. A four-hour ceremony was held for the singer’s burial, which was held at the church where she was baptized.
Talented celebrities like Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, and Mariah Carey were on the invite-only guest list.
PAUL WALKER – VEHICLE PARADE
While one of the action movies in the Fast and the Furious franchise was being made, Paul Walker passed away. Fans of the movie were stunned all around the world when he died at the age of only 40.
Thousands of people gathered in Santa Clarita for a vehicle parade to honor his life at a public memorial organized by his family.
LUKE PERRY – GREEN MUSHROOM BURIAL SUIT
Luke Perry, a well-known heartthrob from Riverdale and Beverly Hills, 90210, passed away after a stroke in 2019. By sharing their fond memories of him from his adored series, fans from all around the world paid respect to him. His last interment was a little unusual.
He asked to be buried in a green mushroom burial suit, as opposed to others who chose an open-casket ritual.
KOBE BRYANT – PERFORMANCES BY BEYONCE AND CHRISTINA AGUILERA
American basketball player Kobe Bryant was best known for his 20-year pro career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Early in 2020, he sadly perished in a helicopter crash together with his daughter, sparking outrage among citizens all around the nation.
He and the other crash victims had a tribute at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Michael Jordan, Rob Pelinka, and Shaquille O’Neal all delivered broadcast statements. The legend of basketball was honored with performances by Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and Christina Aguilera.
THE RED BARON’S FUNERAL INCLUDED FULL MILITARY HONORS
One of the most fearsome aviators in World War I was Manfred von Richthofen, sometimes referred to as The Red Baron. The Baron was a famed dogfighter with 80 aerial victories. He instilled dread in the hearts of the Allied soldiers with his brilliant red aircraft. The Red Baron, so titled because of the aforementioned aircraft and the fact that he was genuinely of noble birth, rose to fame both within and outside of Germany.
But eventually, on April 21, 1918, the Baron’s number was called. While pursuing a pair of Canadian pilots in France, he was shot as he flew into Allied airspace. He managed to survive long enough to execute a hard landing, but he passed away shortly after. It appeared that the Baron’s bones may be destined for an embarrassing disposal since his jet crashed in Allied territory.
C. N. ANNADURAI HAD THE MOST ATTENDED FUNERAL EVER
Imagine a population of 15 million. Yes, it’s challenging. Beyond around 100 individuals, it’s hard for us to gauge how big a gathering is. They all came together in 1969 for the funeral of Indian politician C. N. Annadurai, making it one of the greatest assemblages in history and giving him the distinction of having the most attended burial to date.
Despite being well-liked in India, Annadurai is practically unheard of outside of the nation, therefore some backstory is required. Because of his oratory prowess, Annadurai, also known as Anna to his constituency and denoting “older brother” in the Tamil language, had enormous popularity as Tamil Nadu’s chief minister. Along with writing novels and plays, he was also successful in those fields. Annadurai only served in government for two years before passing away from mouth cancer, ending his political career.
JIM HENSON HAD A SEND-OFF FROM THE MUPPETS
Although Jim Henson was an artist of many talents and very creative, Sesame Street, the movies The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, and most notably, the creation of The Muppets are where he is most remembered. There’s a good chance that Jim Henson’s creations had a significant impact on either your childhood or the childhood of someone you know. He passed away in 1990 from toxic shock brought on by an infection in his lungs, and the world grew more depressing as a result.
However, Henson had persisted in having a happy funeral years before. He asked for a jazz band and for everyone to avoid wearing black. He received both of them in addition to more. According to Consequence of Sound, Henson’s burial was private, but his friends and family conducted two open memorial services for him—one in London and one in New York City.
JOURNALIST AND POLITICIAN BENIGNO AQUINO JR.
Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. was shot behind the left ear in 1983 while returning to the Philippines from the United States. He had barely stepped foot on the runway at the Manila airport. As soon as the opposition party lost its leader, President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ reputation as Aquino’s longtime foe deteriorated further as rumors proliferated.
According to The New York Times, hundreds of angry students stormed the capital on the eve of the burial, throwing rocks and homemade explosives, but they were repelled by police (which ended in 18 injuries and death). On the outskirts of Manila, the burial itself was held following a procession that spanned over 10 hours and covered a distance of 19 miles. Between one and two million spectators lined the path of the procession (through Harvard Divinity School). Some people carried banners demanding justice for Aquino while denouncing Marcos and the administration.
ARTHUR WELLESLEY, DUKE OF WELLINGTON
The first Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley climbed from a lowly beginning to become one of the most significant military leaders of his day. He fought in the Napoleonic Wars and triumphed over overwhelming odds, but what made him stand out as a hero was his participation in Napoleon’s loss at Waterloo. But when he returned to England, his reputation was far less remarkable since he had no sympathy for the misery of the underclass in newly industrialized Victorian England.
His funeral in 1852 was a spectacle on a scale unheard of at the time. Wellesley’s burial was the peak of huge and absurdly lavish funerals that were common in England at the period, regardless of social standing. Tens of thousands of pounds were invested in an 11-ton bronze funeral car that was decked up with decorations, many newly installed lights, and a Roman burial arch for the procession to pass beneath.
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
Jawaharlal Nehru, one of the politicians who had pushed for independence, was chosen as India’s first prime minister soon after the country separated from Britain. He implemented several social changes to improve the lives of women and children and advocated for further development in the industrial, scientific, and technical spheres, earning the admiration of many Indians and international leaders alike. Unfortunately, the tensions of the Cold War had a negative impact on his health, and he passed away in 1964.
After his 17 years in government, mourners descended in large numbers; according to the New York Times, there were nearly 1.5 million of them along the six-mile length of the procession. There were both foreign and domestic officials and dignitaries there, and it was simply a generally solemn event. Nehru’s death didn’t come as much of a surprise because he had previously been dealing with health issues.
SHIV SENA FOUNDER BAL THACKERAY
Bal Thackeray was a contentious figure in Indian politics. Thackeray, who founded the Shiv Sena party and was primarily responsible for its rise to prominence as a Hindu nationalist organization, was both admired and despised. He had been instrumental in changing Bombay’s name to Mumbai in order to shake off its colonial legacy. But he was also strongly criticized for escalating hostilities and fomenting animosity between Muslims and Hindus.
He passed away in 2012. It was estimated that roughly two million people would attend the funeral, and the estimate wasn’t too wrong. A dense sea of people surrounded the automobile that was transporting his body across the city, according to Indian media, as approximately 1.5 million people reportedly filled the streets and crowded closely together.
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT PARK CHUNG-HEE
Times were difficult after the division that led to the creation of North and South Korea. The majority of the nation’s industry was located in the region that would later become North Korea, leaving South Korea an unimpressive and primarily agricultural country. However, under President Park Chung-hee, the nation grew, escaping poverty and becoming a respected industrial superpower. He was well-respected by international leaders; therefore, his killing in 1979 was unexpected.
The funeral followed that week, which was attended by officials and ambassadors from 41 different nations. The actual procession took place over the course of nearly six hours, winding through Seoul’s streets with the closed coffin decked with flowers and clearly visible to those in attendance. Two million people, many of whom were crying as the procession passed by, lined the murky streets to bid their final farewell.
BANGLADESHI PRESIDENT ZIAUR RAHMAN
Ziaur Rahman, who had served in Pakistan’s army before, is credited by Oxford Reference as being the main organizer of the rebellion that resulted in Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan. Rahman was largely seen as an autocratic leader, but after coming home after a series of coups, he was elected president of Bangladesh.
But he passed away relatively young, the victim of a murder in 1981 carried out by a bitter rebel leader who acted for personal reasons rather than political ones. People at the time were concerned about what his passing would entail for the nation’s continued gradual but steady economic growth as well as the possibility that it may rekindle old political conflicts. Apart from the political repercussions, however, the public also grieved, with the Pittsburgh Press reporting that up to two million people gathered in the capital and filled the streets.
VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ
To put it mildly, Hugo Chavez was a divisive figure. He was very polarizing and was widely denounced as a dictator in Venezuela. However, throughout his 14 years as Venezuela’s president, many of the country’s impoverished people sincerely applauded him for his efforts to promote Latin American unification and support social programs.
When his coffin was presented with the Simon Bolivar sword at his funeral in 2013, all of the adoration and affection of the people were fairly evidently on exhibit. According to Reuters, his body was laid in state for anybody who wished to pay their respects to observe. Two million people did so, sometimes arriving after standing in line for up to 26 hours. Some mourners cried inconsolably upon seeing him because they were at a loss for words and felt they owed him everything. Others praised his political successes and referred to him as unstoppable and unbeatable.
LES MISÉRABLES AUTHOR VICTOR HUGO
Hugo was the working class’s hero. His works embraced the spirit of the revolution, telling tales of bravery and humanism that uplifted the downtrodden. So it was only right that he asked for a poor man’s burial when he passed away in May 1885. But it didn’t go like that. His body was laid out on an elevated platform almost half the height of the Arc de Triomphe because the French authorities anticipated that his death would bring large crowds.
More than two million people got there, more than the whole population of Paris at the time, proving that the government was justified in organizing such a spectacle. People were camping out in the streets at midnight, so there wasn’t a single vacant chair or table. In the end, it turned into a large celebration with throngs of both employees and the poor drinking and singing all night long.
IRANIAN PRESIDENT AKBAR HASHEMI RAFSANJANI
According to The Guardian, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani started out as a revolutionary who participated in the Iranian revolution of 1979 but afterward pursued a radically different path and moved away from his revolutionary roots. Instead, he pushed for improved ties with the West and acted as a spokesperson for the middle class and younger generations.
However, the administration intended to emphasize his revolutionary history and downplay his reformist latter life at his official burial in 2017. However, his followers made their opinions known when some 2.5 million people showed up for his funeral. Protesters assembled in front of the University of Tehran, chanting opposition chants loud enough to drown out government officials. As a result, authorities had to turn up the loudspeaker level, and audio professionals experimented with the sound to try to muffle the protesters’ voices.
ARGENTINIAN FIRST LADY EVA PERON
According to an article in American Funeral Director, Eva Peron, the wife of Argentinian President Juan Peron, had always aspired to succeed in life, and by marrying the future president, she had the means to accomplish it. By using her influence to advocate for social causes, she built hospitals, gave women the right to vote, and helped the destitute and needy.
Therefore, when she passed away in July 1952 at the age of 33, the entire nation wept. Approximately three million people lined up for up to 15 hours to pay their respects during the two weeks that her body was on display. Every day, tens of thousands of people stopped to kiss the glass cover and sobbed. After those two weeks had passed, the day of her funeral procession arrived. Her body was carried into a carriage while two million people lined the streets and threw flowers at her.
EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT GAMAL ABDEL NASSER
Gamal Abdel Nasser, the country’s first president, was responsible for overthrowing the European-aligned monarchy in 1952 by inciting a military coup. Throughout his 18 years in office, Nasser was a very popular politician who earned the respect of international leaders. He embodied the spirit of pan-Arab unification while simultaneously enhancing the standard of living for the people he ruled.
The public, therefore, wept when he passed away in 1970. The state planned a modest event in Cairo with 40 senior generals and 5,000 soldiers. Foreign dignitaries were expected to attend the event and did, according to a New York Times story. The six-mile-long procession path was surrounded by five million people when they arrived, so that didn’t go at all as planned. Soldiers attempted to force mourners back with their rifles as they engaged in combat with the police and sought to burst past the lines.