Death and state funeral of Heydar Aliyev
, the former President of Azerbaijan, died on 12 December 2003 in the Cleveland Clinic at 10 am local time from heart failure at the age of 80. December 13, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of the State Commission for the funeral of Heydar Aliyev. December 14 the coffin of the deceased was taken to Baku.
The farewell ceremony was held December 15, 2003 at the Palace of the Republic and was broadcast live on the main Azerbaijani TV channels. The ceremony was attended by past and present Azerbaijani politicians and a plethora of international dignitaries, which included the following:
A number of Heads of State also expressed their condolences. Heydar Aliyev was buried in the Alley of Honor next to his wife Zarifa Aliyeva. During the funerals artillery salute was given.
