Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died 4 months ago, when is his funeral? Where will former Iran Supreme Leader be buried and when? Here’s what we know so far

Nearly four months after the assassination of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country is preparing for one of the largest funeral ceremonies in its history. Iranian authorities have announced that Khamenei’s body will be taken out in a series of funeral processions before being buried in the holy city of Mashhad. The funeral is expected to take place around June 21, with officials estimating that nearly 20 million mourners could participate in ceremonies across Tehran, Qom and Mashhad. If those numbers are realized, the event could become one of the biggest public gatherings ever recorded.

Final Wish Was Burial Near Imam Reza Shrine

Iranian officials said Khamenei had expressed a desire to be buried beside the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam. The Imam Reza shrine attracts millions of pilgrims every year and holds deep religious significance for Shia Muslims around the world.

According to plans released by authorities, the main funeral ceremony will begin in Tehran and continue through the religious city of Qom before concluding in Mashhad. Three days have been set aside for public viewing and farewell ceremonies. Officials believe the burial location will give special symbolic importance to Khamenei’s legacy among his supporters.

Khamenei, who led Iran for more than three decades, was killed on February 28 during joint US-Israeli airstrikes that reportedly targeted his office and residence in Tehran. Several members of his family were also said to have been killed in the attack.

Why the Funeral Was Delayed

The delay in holding the funeral is unusual under Islamic tradition, which generally calls for burial within a few days of death. Iranian officials have attributed the postponement to wartime conditions and the enormous logistical challenges involved in organizing an event expected to attract millions of people.

Authorities said extensive planning was needed to ensure crowd management, transportation and security arrangements. The funeral is being coordinated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has been overseeing preparations for several months.

Iran Braces for Record-Breaking Crowds

The expected turnout has drawn comparisons with the funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, which attracted an estimated 10 million mourners and remains one of the largest funerals in modern history.

Iranian officials hope to avoid the chaos seen during that event, when a deadly stampede left several people dead and thousands injured. Security agencies and local authorities are preparing for unprecedented crowds as people from across Iran are expected to travel to the funeral ceremonies.

For many supporters, the funeral will mark a final farewell to a leader who played a central role in shaping Iran’s political and religious landscape for more than 30 years. The ceremony is also expected to be a significant moment for Iran as the country continues adjusting to a new leadership era under Khamenei’s successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.