Imperial Funerals

Categories / Capital/Imperial Court
IMPERIAL FUNERALS, one of the most important ceremonies. Performed according to Emperor Peter the Great's funeral (1725), consisting of three parts: display of the body of the departed, transportation of the body to the SS. Peter&Paul Cathedral, and last rites and burial. Display of the body usually took place in the Winter Palace approximately a day after death (if the Emperor did not die in St. Petersburg, immediately upon the arrival of the remains to the capital). In the 18th century, the parting ceremony lasted from 22 days to 3 months. in the 19th century, it was shortened to 7-16 days. The body's transportation was the largest-scale portion of the ceremony, and presented a solemn procession with the participation of 6,000 - 38,000 people (not counting troops), moving for 1-3 hours from the Winter Palace to the SS. Peter&Paul Cathedral (in winter, along the embankments and by the iced-over Neva, in summer, along various routes). In the 18th century, burials took place no earlier than 40 days after the death; in the 19th century, they took place 1-7 days after transportation to the cathedral. During Imperial Funerals, the SS. Peter&Paul Cathedral had a special ceremonial decoration, and streets and bridges along the procession route were adorned in mourning colours. Emperor Nicholas II's ceremony, which was attended by members of His family and confidants on 17 July 1998 in the SS. Peter&Paul Cathedral, is considered to be the last Imperial Funeral.

References: Гендриков В. Б., Сенько С. Е. Петропавловский собор — усыпальница императорского дома Романовых. СПб., 1998; Ритуал печального кортежа: Ритуал похорон рос. императоров. СПб., 1998.

G. V. Kalashnikov. Nicholas II, Emperor
Peter I, Emperor
Ритуал печального кортежа: Ритуал похорон рос. императоров. СПб., 1998
Гендриков В. Б., Сенько С. Е. Петропавловский собор - усыпальница императорского дома Романовых. СПб., 1998 SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral
Winter Palace
St. Peter and Paul fortress
St. Peter and Paul fortress
1894