Abstractions
Leave a comment

12 emotional celebrity funerals that shook the world

12 emotional celebrity funerals that shook the world


When a celebrity passes on, it’s not only the friends and family that go into mourning. Whether their music made you feel less alone, their work inspired you to pick up a microphone or their honest approach to life provided some needed confidence, famous faces can impact our day to day lives more than we know.

Read on to find out which celebrity funerals left a lasting impact on the world.

Kelly Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and Jack Osbourne stop to view tributes to the late Ozzy Osbourne from fans at Black Sabbath Bench and Bridge as his funeral cortege travels through his home city of Birmingham on July 30, 2025 in Birmingham, England.© Getty Images

Ozzy Osbourne passed on 22 July 2025

Ozzy Osbourne

Born John Michael Osbourne, Ozzy is credited as one of the early pioneers of heavy metal music. He served as the frontman of Black Sabbath, which he co-founded, from 1968, known for hit tracks like ‘Paranoid’ and ‘Iron Man’.

When he passed on 22 July 2025, the world of heavy music was devastated to lose one of its greats and fans flocked to show their devotion to the late singer.

Flower bouquets, cards and photos left for Princess Diana at Kensington Palace.© Corbis via Getty Images

A sea of flowers were left to honour the late Princess outside Buckingham Palace

Princess Diana

Princess Diana’s death spread shockwaves around the world. Many Royal family fans adored her grounded charm and iconic fashion moments, including that iconic revenge dress, leaving flowers and offerings outside Kensington Palace in her honour.

The Princess died on 31 August 1997 following a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris.

A crowd gathers outside the gates of Graceland, for the funeral of Elvis Presley.© Corbis via Getty Images

Elvis is still adored by millions today

Elvis Presley

On 18 August 1977, Elvis Presley was honoured with a private ceremony at his Graceland home, followed by a public procession. The King of Rock and Roll was eventually moved to Graceland after being entombed at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Elvis won the adoration of millions with hits like ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’. He passed on 16 August 1977 at 42 years old.

Fans sing as they stand in line for the viewing of Aretha Franklin at the New Bethel Baptist Church on August 30, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. - Franklin's casket is to lie in repose at her father's church on Thursday ahead of a tribute concert in her hometown Detroit and funeral.© AFP via Getty Images

Aretha Franklin was a legend in the soul music scene

Aretha Franklin

The Queen of Soul was dearly mourned when she passed on 16 August 2018 at the age of 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Tracks like ‘Respect’ and ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ won her enduring fame. Her death was marked with a eight-hour service, including performances from Chaka Khan, Ariana Grande and Smokey Robinson.

Jacqueline Kennedy, Edward Kennedy and Robert Kennedy stand as the coffin of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy passes them.© Getty Images

John F. Kennedy’s funeral was a solemn and memorable event

John F. Kennedy

The death of a president invites more protocol than most. Following John F. Kennedy’s murder on 22 November 1963, officials were invited to view the coffin the next day.

On the 24th, the affecting news of the President’s passing was evident as over 250,000 people walked past his coffin at the Capitol rotunda. His funeral took place on 25 November, a horse-drawn caisson carrying his casket to his wife, a band and military escort who all proceeded eight blocks to St Matthew’s Cathedral.  

Al Sharpton speaks at Michael Jackson's funeral service held at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park on September 3, 2009 in Glendale, California.© The Jackson Family via Getty Images

Fans around the world mourned the passing of Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

The King of Pop passed on 25 June 2009 and was interred nearly 10 weeks later. While the ceremony was kept small, there were certainly details that nodded to Michael Jackson’s international fame.

His children marked his death by carefully placing a crown at the head of his gold-plated casket, custom made for the singer. 

Fans line a two mile stretch of Woolton Road as Cilla Black's hearse arrives at St Mary's Church in Liverpool.© Getty Images

Cilla Black was applauded on her way to St Mary’s Church in Liverpool

Cilla Black

The ‘You’re My World’ singer died in 2015 and was honoured by fans who threw flowers and applauded as her funeral cortege processed to St Mary’s RC Church in Liverpool. 

Her death was marked by several famous names, including Sir Cliff Richard who performed at the service. He told mourners that they had made him realise “how much people loved her”.

A horse-drawn carriage carrying the coffin of The Vivienne following the funeral of The Vivienne at St Margaret's Church, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire.© PA Images via Getty Images

The Vivienne passed in 2025

The Vivienne

Star drag queen The Vivienne, born James Lee Williams, rose to fame on RuPaul’s Drag Race, instantly becoming a pop culture icon. Their emotional service paid homage to this, with the crown and sceptre awarded to winners of the show carried into the church ahead of the coffin.

Their funeral took place in Wales, three weeks after they were found dead at 32 years old. Many famous faces, including Jade Thirlwall and Ian ‘H’ Watkins, as well as fellow drag queens Cheryl Hole and Baga Chipz were in attendance.

Carrie Fisher's makeshift Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame during © Getty Images

Carrie Fisher rose to fame playing Princess Leia in the original Star Wars films

Carrie Fisher

Star Wars lead and always outspoken, Carrie Fisher left behind a legacy of witty shut-downs and on screen fame. Her funeral served as a service for Carrie and joint memorial for her mother Debbie Reynolds, who was buried with some of her daughter’s ashes.

While the world mourned, several celebrities attended the intimate ceremony, with Meryl Streep, Gwyneth Paltrow and Meg Ryan all in attendance, Meryl leading attendees in singing ‘Happy Days Are Here Again’.

Bruce Lee's funeral in Kowloon in 1973.© South China Morning Post via Getty Images

Bruce Lee had 15,000 fans waiting for the arrival of his coffin

Bruce Lee

Martial arts star and actor Bruce Lee died at just 32 years old in 1973. The love his fans held for the celebrity was clear as they began gathering outside the Kowloon Funeral Parlour the evening before his service.

Come the time of the funeral, over 15,000 people awaited the arrival of Bruce’s coffin, while hundreds of police officers were brought in to ensure things ran smoothly.

Candles, flowers and personal notes are placed as a memorial to musician David Bowie on his Hollywood Walk of Fame star on January 12, 2016.© Getty Images

David Bowie chose a simple send off

David Bowie

Our beloved Starman passed from liver cancer in 2016, only two days after he turned 69 years old and released his long-awaited album, Blackstar.

It wasn’t the sight of his casket that had fans emotional – it was the characteristically humble ceremony he chose. Bowie was cremated with no mourners in attendance and his ashes were later scattered in Bali according with Buddhist rituals. 

A fan places flowers below a photo of John Lennon during a vigil for John Lennon at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park, New York, December 14th 1980© Getty Images

John Lennon was privately cremated and his ashes scattered in Central Park

John Lennon

Singer and former Beatle John Lennon was sadly killed in December 1980. His wife Yoko Ono opted for a private cremation, requesting fans spend 10 minutes silently praying for the singer’s soul a couple of days after he passed. 

John’s ashes were scattered across Central Park in New York. His legacy was marked with a memorial called Strawberry Fields, dedicated to the musician on his birthday.



Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *