Formal Funeral Preparations Begin Three Months After Death of Former Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei
Formal funeral preparations have begun three months after the death of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. Mourning processions and funeral ceremonies will be held in Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad, with an expected attendance of around 20 million people. Although Khamenei’s son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, was chosen as the new Supreme Leader following his father’s death, he has yet to make any public appearances. (Kathmandu, June 3)
Khamenei’s death occurred on February 28. Although funerals are normally held within a few days of death, the Iranian government postponed the official funeral indefinitely. At the beginning of March, officials cited the country’s serious conditions and the challenges of managing large crowds as reasons for the delay, citing both security and logistical issues. Iranian state media have now announced that the formal funeral may take place by mid-June, though no exact date or time has been confirmed yet.
Tehran’s Deputy Mayor, Mohammad Amin Tavakoli Jadeh, informed state media that a public funeral procession, known as ‘Supard-e-Khak’ (funeral rites), will be conducted, and preparations are underway in multiple cities. He announced on Tuesday that the funeral ceremony would be held at the start of the month of Muharram, with the traditional calendar suggesting mid-June as a likely timeframe. The mourning processions will be organized in the capital Tehran, the major religious center Qom, and Khamenei’s birthplace, Mashhad.
According to Islamic tradition, Khamenei’s remains will be buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, the foremost religious site there. Massive public gatherings and prayer events will take place in all three cities. The largest event will be in Tehran, where the main ceremony is expected to continue for at least 24 hours. City officials estimate that nearly 20 million people may gather in Tehran to pay their final respects to Khamenei as the former Supreme Leader. Extensive preparations for crowd control, accommodation, and security are underway. Khamenei’s death at the age of 86 is regarded as marking the end of an era in Iran.
