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.
02. 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.
03. 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 center to
pay their respects.
04. C.N. 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 – a similar amount to which live in
greater New York.This leader and revolutionary is more commonly known
as Anna (which means elder brother in the Tamil language).
05. Pope John Paul II
Religious
followers are very devout. The pope is considered the manifestation of
God on earth and so their passing away is considered 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 shows in
the world nowadays.
06. 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 Kim Jong Il beaming away. Millions of North Koreans
crowded onto the streets to mourn. His coffin was covered in a red flag
and beautiful white flowers – as it passed by soldiers struggled to keep
mourners from pouring out onto the road. Or perhaps they were in fact
poking them to make them cry for the cameras.
07. 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 an
Egyptian songwriter, singer and actress who had touched hearts. In fact,
more than 30 years after her death, many still regard her as the most
elegant and famous of Egyptian singers in the 20th century. Her memory
still holds a large place in most Egyptian people’s hearts.
08. President Nasser
The
Egyptians certainly like to celebrate a death it can be said. The crowd
which came to Cairo for the funeral of Egyptian President Nasser on
October 1st 1970 was also estimated at an amazing 4 million people.
President Nasser had led the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, removing the
reigning King and bringing about a new era of industrialization in
Egypt. As leader of this revolution, he was a hero to many in Egypt and
they turned out in force to mourn his death.
09. Victor Hugo
Perhaps
the most beautiful example of a big funeral belongs to that of Victor
Hugo. Not a celebrity as we know in the modern world, he did however
touch many people’s hearts with the beautiful words that he wrote.
Between 2 and 3 million people gathered to attend the funeral of Victor
Hugo in Paris. Victor Hugo was a poet, author and more – he was a
celebrity of the 19th century. A multi talented man, his best known
works are the novels Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
and the now long lasting musical, Les Miserables.
10. Mahatma 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 and he was also thought of as India’s
Father of Independence. His passion was what inspired movements for
freedom and civil rights across the world and has made him an
unforgettable historical figure.
11. Balasaheb Thackeray
Balasaheb
Thackeray was charismatic leader based in Mumbai, who started SHIV
SENA, the political organisation that fought for the rights of local
Maharshtrian people. He died at the age of 86
leading
his party for 46 years. He was an excellent political cartoonist and
art-lover. He will be remembered as one of the greatest orators that
Indians have ever heard.
Princesses, sports stars, pop stars, political stars, poets, revolutionists, dictators. Anyone can get a big funeral.
All you need to do is make a country fall in love with you.
Failing
that, just make sure that those around you have reason to love you and
you can be sure that you will have your own special sending away.
The only thing you leave behind is the impact you make.
While you are living decide what you would like people to say about you at your funeral and live it.
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