Largest Funerals in History

1. Princess Diana

Some people touch us in amazing ways. And when they pass, their funerals become a public affair where the masses, who have often only seen them on TV, show an outpouring of emotions. Occasionally around the world, there are those whose funerals bring millions onto the streets to mourn. Here are the largest ones. Enjoy


Princess Diana was known as the Princess of the People. The world was shocked by her sudden death and in the UK she turned overnight from an oft ridiculed Princess, into a national heroine. The funeral of Diana was held in London on September 6th 1997. The procession drew an estimated three million mourners, who lined the streets of London to pay homage to their Princess.

2. Ayrton Senna

Ayrton Senna was a racing driver who is regarded as the greatest by many of his peers. He was much more than that as his death showed. Senna’s death was considered a national tragedy by his many Brazilian fans. In fact, after his death the country had three official days of mourning. It is estimated 3,000,000 people crowded onto the roads of Sao Paulo to pay their respects. He was a true hero to the people of Brazil.

3. Michael Jackson

 

We have had a Princess and a sports star. Another category of people idolized in the modern world is pop stars. None have ever been bigger than Michael Jackson. His funeral was private and attended by the family. However, the service was broadcast live around the world. The roads in LA were closed as his body travelled to the Staples Center to be laid to rest. Nearly a million fans congregated outside the centre to pay their respects.

4. Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai (Anna)

Indian people can be among the most fanatic in the world. In 1969, it is estimated that between 10-15 million people came onto the streets to watch the funeral of C. N. Annadurai (15 September 1909 – 3 February 1969), also known as Perarignar — same number of people who live in greater New York. The  cricket legend Sachin Tendaulker dies. This leader and revolutionary is more commonly known as Anna, meaning elder brother in the Tamil language.

5. Pope John Paul II

Some religious followers are known to be devout. The pope is considered the manifestation of God on earth and so their passing is considered a cause for pilgrimage. Between 2-4 million people are estimated to have attended Pope John Paul II’s funeral in Rome on April 7th 2005. That is more people than you will usually find cars on the roads of Italy’s capital city. It was a great showing of the power that religion still holds on the world today.

6. Kim Jong-il II

Sometimes you have no choice but to attend a funeral. In the winter of 2011, aged 69, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il died of a heart attack. He was given a three hour funeral procession led by a limousine bearing a massive painting of the leader. Millions of North Koreans crowded onto the streets to mourn. His coffin was covered in a red flag and white flowers – as it passed by soldiers struggling to keep mourners from pouring into the road. Or perhaps they were poking them to make them cry for the cameras — part of a propaganda show.

7. Umm Kulthum

A true idol of the Arab world passed away on February 5th 1975. A crowd reported to be in excess of 4 million people came out to watch the funeral procession of Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum in Cairo. She was a songwriter, singer and actress who had touched many hearts. In fact, more than 30 years after her death the whole Arab world still regards her as the most famous and elegant Egyptian singer of the 20th century. Her memory holds a significant place in people’s hearts and minds.

8. Victor Hugo

Perhaps the most compelling example of large funeral belongs to that of Victor Hugo. As a romantic author, poet, essayist, playwright and politician, he did touch many people’s hearts with the beautiful words he conjured. Between 2 and 3 million people gathered to attend the funeral of Victor Hugo in Paris. The man was a poet, author and more — a 19th century celebrity. A multi talented man, his best known works are the novels Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) and the long-lasting musical, Les Miserables.

9. President Gamal Abdel Nasser

Egyptians certainly like to celebrate the death of loved ones. The crowd which came to Cairo for the funeral of Egyptian President Nasser on October 1st 1970 was estimated to be a staggering 4 million people. Nasser led the 1952 Egyptian Revolution — Coup D'etat — thereby removing the reigning King and bringing about a new era of industrialisation in Egypt. Despite the not-so-great outcome, the man remained a hero to many common people in Egypt qho turned out in great numbers to mourn his death.

10. M.K Gandhi

Many people remember him as the “Great Soul”. In January 1948, another multi-million person funeral was held when over 2 million people gathered to attend the funeral of Gandhi. We know Gandhi as the leading political and spiritual leader of his time who was also thought of as India’s Father of Independence. His passion was what inspired movements for freedom and civil rights across the world, cementing his name an an unforgettable historical figure.

Princesses, sports and pop stars, political personalities, poets, revolutionists, dictators we're all going to die. Some, though, get a HUGE funeral after departing. All you need to do is make the masses fall in love with you. Failing that, just make sure that those around you have reasons to love you and you can have your special sending away. The only thing we leave behind after this short journey is the impact we make, what we have added to this world, our relationships. While you're still at it, decide what you would like people say about you at your funeral and embody it.


Aspire to Inspire before you Expire.