Many were massive. Others were followed by millions on TV. Here some examples.
The list of big funerals of figures who have left their mark on the 20th century and on this is long. Some have been state funerals, full of pomp, of political leaders. Others became massive due to the singularity of their protagonists.
According to Forbes, the list of the most massive funerals in history does not begin with that of a statesman, but with a “king”: Michael Jackson.
Michael Jackson
The ‘King of Pop’ had a farewell to match its title, Forbes wrote. It took place on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, at the Staples Center sports arena. Admission was around $10,000. It was presided over by the artist’s family and children, and there were numerous renowned celebrities. It surpassed 2.5 billion viewers.
Elvis
According to the same ranking, Elvis Presley’s funeral follows in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 18, 1977. Approximately 80,000 people attended to pay their respects to him in the procession that took place in Graceland.
Lady Di
Thirdly, there is the funeral of Lady Di in London, on September 6, 1997. Many dare to compare that farewell with the current funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The atmosphere then was one of pain but also of anger towards the British royal family at the treatment that the former Princess of Wales had ended up receiving.
His funeral took place in Westminster Abbey. The celebration was followed by 2.5 million people on television and 2,000 guests attended the event. The streets of London were flooded with flowers, candles and countless signs of affection for Diana.
John Paul II
On April 2, 2005, the funeral of the Pope John Paul II in Saint Peter’s Basilica.
It was one of the most expensive ceremonies of all time in which the Vatican invested 7 million euros.
John Paul II is considered one of the Popes more charismatic and to bid him farewell, faithful from all over the world gathered in Rome. His farewell mass was presided over by 100 cardinals.
Fidel Castro
Outside the Forbes list, we find a huge list of funerals of figures who have left their mark on the 20th century, such as that of Fidel Castro, on December 4, 2016.
The world was moved by Fidel’s departure. Nevertheless, only 23 leaders were present in Santiago de Cuba. The majority, from Western Hemisphere and African countries.
Simon Peres
Compared to Fidel’s funeral, to that of Simon Peres, Prime Minister and former President of Israel, who died less than two months earlier, 75 heads of state attended, including two US presidents: Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Nelson Mandela
The funeral that gathered the most leaders was that of Nelson Mandela, with some 95 heads of state and government.
The former president of South Africa died in December 2013 and the South African government decreed 10 days of national mourning.
Hugo Chavez
Hugo Chávez’s funeral was in Caracas on March 6, 2013.
Cancer killed the president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela who fought it for several years.
The funeral mobilized his country. They attended the tribute 6,000,000 people and that is why it is considered the second largest funeral in history, after that of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. the Hindu Cojjevaram Natarajan Annadurai, 15 million people.
Eva Peron and Raul Alfonsin
Argentina had its historic funerals.
The death of Eva Perón on July 26, 1952 triggered different tributes that would extend for 16 days. Two million people bid her farewell in silence on Sunday, August 11.
The wake took place on the first floor of the Ministry of Labor and Welfare, where the Buenos Aires legislature is today. On Sunday the 27th, at 11 in the morning, the funeral chapel was set up in the Hall of Honor.
Thousands and thousands of people waited in the rain in endless queues for days.
“The Father of Democracy”
Some 70,000 Argentines fired on April 1, 2009 the remains of the former president Raul Alfonsin (1983-1989), buried in the Recoleta cemetery.
Not so many people have gathered to fire anyone in our country since 1974, when nearly a million people gathered outside Congress to bid farewell to the remains of Juan Domingo Peron.
Alfonsín died at the age of 82, on March 31, 2009.
These are just a few examples of historic funerals. To the list we could add Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy and Mahatma Gandhi, among others.
Clarin Editorial
ap