Khamenei Laid to Rest, Here Are 5 Other Most Notable Funerals in History

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Millions of mourners crowded the streets of Tehran to follow the funeral procession of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former supreme leader of Iran, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli attack on February 28. His body, along with three family members who also perished, was carried in a coffin wrapped in a flag on a container truck. The six-day mourning period, from July 4 to 9, 2026, was described by Iranian authorities as the "most important event of this century."

The funeral of Khamenei garnered worldwide attention not only due to its extraordinary scale and duration but also because of the geopolitical context alongside it. The funeral took place a few weeks after Iran and the US inked a temporary ceasefire. This event placed Iran among the nations that have held the funerals of prominent figures with exceptional global attention.

Here are 5 other funerals of world figures that have received the most attention throughout history.

1. Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II: A Record 120 Heads of State

Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96 on September 8, 2022, local time at Balmoral Castle, Scotland. Before her passing, she was reported to have fallen ill. Queen Elizabeth passed away after ruling England for 70 years. Frank Augstein/Pool via REUTERS

The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022, made history as one of the funerals with the highest attendance of heads of state and heads of government in the world. A total of 120 heads of state attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London, along with delegations from 168 countries. This record was officially recognized by the Guinness World Records.

Millions of people also crowded the streets of London to pay their final respects to the Queen, who had ruled for 70 years.

2. Funeral of Pope John Paul II: 165 World Leaders in Vatican City

A picture of Pope John Paul II displayed on the facade of the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, March 9, 2023. REUTERS/Kuba Stezycki

The funeral of Pope John Paul II on April 8, 2005, in Vatican City was attended by 10 reigning kings, 80 current and former heads of state, and 75 heads of government. The event was described as one of the largest diplomatic gatherings in modern history. Around 2 million mourners from around the world crowded the Vatican, making it the largest funeral in the history of the Catholic Church.

3. Funeral of Princess Diana: 2.5 Billion Viewers Worldwide

Mourners surrounded the sea of flowers outside Kensington Palace, where mourners gathered all week to lay flowers and pay their final respects to Diana, Princess of Wales, in London, England, on September 4, 1997. REUTERS/Jasper Juinen

The sudden death of Princess Diana in 1997 due to a car accident in Paris shook the world. Her funeral on September 6, 1997, at Westminster Abbey was broadcast live and an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide watched it on television. Around 3 million mourners filled the streets of London to accompany her funeral procession.

The event was also attended by various important world figures, including Nelson Mandela, as well as artists such as Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Elton John.

4. Funeral of Nelson Mandela: World Peace Icon

Nelson Mandela. Dok. Shutterstock

As an icon of peace and the first black president of South Africa, the death of Nelson Mandela on December 5, 2013, at the age of 95 drew global attention. His state funeral in Qunu, his hometown, was attended by 59 heads of state and government.

Over 80,000 people attended the tribute ceremony at FNB Stadium, Soweto. This funeral became a global farewell to the person considered the Father of the Nation of South Africa and a fighter against apartheid.

5. Funeral of John F. Kennedy: Eternal Flame at Arlington

Former President of America John F. Kennedy, when in his office at the White House, Washington, June 11, 1963. President Donald Trump stated that he would allow the release of classified national documents regarding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK) in 1963 to the public for the first time. AFP PHOTO/HO/JFK LIBRARY

The assassination of the 35th US President, John F. Kennedy, on November 22, 1963, rocked the world. His state funeral on November 25, 1963, at Arlington National Cemetery was attended by 99 heads of state. Overall, 220 foreign state dignitaries from 92 countries participated in the procession.

About 250,000 people came to pay their respects as his body lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda. His grave is marked by an eternal flame lit by his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy.

Which funeral do you think received the most attention?

Read: Will Mojtaba Khamenei Attend His Father's Funeral?

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