Death and state funeral of Nelson Mandela

President Nelson Mandela 1918-2013

Nelson Mandela died on 5 December 2013 at the age of 95, at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa surrounded by his family after a prolonged lung infection.^[1] His death was announced by President Jacob Zuma.^[1]^[2] Reactions from governments, international organizations, and notable individuals, got worldwide media coverage for a man of honor

Reactions

His death got reactions from Barack Obama, David Cameron, Pope Francis, Queen Elizabeth, Joe Biden, Harry Reid, Rihanna, Bashar al-Assad, José Mujica, Raul Castro, Nicolás Maduro, Prince William, and F. W. de Klerk.

Official funeral events

US President Barack Obama delivers his speech at Mandela's state memorial service

Qunu village in the Eastern Cape, where Mandela's funeral will be held on 15 December 2013

The South African government announced a period of 10 days of national mourning ending with the state funeral on 15 December 2013. All flags on government buildings were flown at half-mast for the duration of this period.^[3]

On 9 December, it was confirmed that at least 80 foreign heads of state and government would travel to South Africa to attend events.^[4] Notable guests included the President of the United States and three former presidents of the United States; the President of India; the Prime Minister of Italy; the Vice President of China; the President of Brazil; the President of France; the President of Ireland; the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; the President of Germany; the Prime Minister of Australia; two former Governors General of Canada, the Prime Minister of Canada, and three former Prime Ministers of Canada; the Prime Minister of Jordan; and the President of Afghanistan. Royal dignitaries attending include, the King of the Netherlands, the King of Belgium, the Prince of Wales, the Prince of Asturias, the Crown Prince of Denmark, the Crown Princess of Sweden, the Crown Prince of Norway, the Crown Prince of Japan, and the Queen Rania of Jordan.^[3]

Queen Elizabeth II honored Mandela with a thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey in early 2014.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Day of prayer

The South African government declared Sunday, 8 December 2013 to be observed as a national day of prayer and reflection.^[3]

We call upon all our people to gather in halls, churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and in their homes for prayer services and meditation, reflecting on the life of Madiba and his contribution to our country and the world.
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Showing the body at the seat of the Government (or lying in state)

Mandela's body lay in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria from 11 to 13 December 2013.^[1]

State funeral, Qunu

The state funeral was held on 15 December 2013 in Qunu in the Eastern Cape. He was later buried there on the same day.^[1]

Death And State Funeral Of Nelson Mandela Media

Members of the public paying their respects outside Mandela's Houghton home.
South African flag flying half-mast outside Drakenstein Correctional Centre where Mandela was imprisoned from 1988 to his release in 1990.
The largest South African flag flying half-mast at the Donkin Reserve, Port Elizabeth.
Members of the public queueing to view Mandela's body at the Union Buildings.
A crowd gathers at the Grand Parade in front of the Cape Town City Hall the day after Mandela's death. Mandela made his first public speech here after being released from prison in 1990 and following his death the area was designated as the city's primary public mourning space.