If you’re searching for what day is Charlie Kirks funeral, you might be catching up on a whirlwind of news that feels almost impossible to believe. The short answer is that it already happened. The formal memorial service for Charlie Kirk took place on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
It wasn't just a quiet family gathering in a church. Honestly, it was one of the largest public memorials for a private citizen in American history. Nearly 100,000 people filled State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. It felt more like a massive political rally or a Super Bowl event than a traditional funeral.
The air was thick with grief and high-tension security.
The Event That Shook the Country
Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated on September 10, 2025. He was 31 years old. It happened in the middle of a "The American Comeback Tour" event at Utah Valley University in Orem. A single shot from a rooftop ended his life while he was answering a question about mass shootings.
The irony isn't lost on anyone.
💡 You might also like: Why the 2013 Moore Oklahoma Tornado Changed Everything We Knew About Survival
The suspect, Tyler James Robinson, was arrested shortly after. Ever since that day, the country has been in a bit of a tailspin. We've seen lawsuits over teachers' social media posts, massive campus vigils, and a lot of finger-pointing about security failures.
Why Arizona?
Kirk was originally from the Chicago suburbs, but he made Arizona his home and the headquarters for TPUSA. It’s where his influence was strongest. Arizona State Senator Warren Petersen even recently proposed naming a portion of the Loop 202 freeway after him, calling him a "son of Arizona."
When the funeral date was set for September 21, the logistics were a nightmare. The Secret Service had to coordinate with local police because basically every high-profile conservative in the country was planning to attend.
What Actually Happened at the Funeral?
The doors at State Farm Stadium opened early—8:00 a.m. local time. By the time the service started at 11:00 a.m., the place was packed.
📖 Related: Ethics in the News: What Most People Get Wrong
People didn't just wear black. There was a weird, "patriotic" dress code. You saw thousands of people in red, white, and blue. It was a celebration of what they called his "warrior spirit."
- Donald Trump spoke, posthumously awarding Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow, gave a heart-wrenching speech that many said was the emotional peak of the day.
- Elon Musk and JD Vance were also in attendance, highlighting just how deep Kirk's connections went in the MAGA movement.
The casket had arrived in Arizona days earlier on Air Force Two, which sparked its own set of debates online. Whether you loved the guy or couldn't stand his politics, you can't deny that the scale of the send-off was unprecedented.
Security Concerns and The Aftermath
Candace Owens has been all over the news lately, claiming there were massive gaps in the security plan for that Utah event. She’s been calling out Brian Harpole and the TPUSA security detail, suggesting they had no plan for the day after the shooting.
While that’s all being hashed out in the press and the courts, the trial for Tyler Robinson is still the big cloud hanging over everything. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. A preliminary hearing is set for May 18, 2026.
👉 See also: When is the Next Hurricane Coming 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Moving Forward Without the Face of TPUSA
Turning Point USA is trying to figure out what it looks like without Charlie Kirk. He was the fundraiser, the debater, and the face of the whole thing. They’ve recently returned to Utah for the first time since the assassination, trying to keep the momentum going, but it’s definitely different.
There are still open investigations in states like Texas and Florida regarding how people reacted to his death. Some people got fired for "vile" social media posts; others are suing for their jobs back. It's a mess.
Key Facts to Remember
- Assassination Date: September 10, 2025.
- Funeral/Memorial Date: September 21, 2025.
- Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona.
- Attendance: Between 90,000 and 100,000 people.
If you’re looking for ways to follow the ongoing legal battle or the future of the organization he left behind, the best thing to do is keep an eye on the court transcripts from the Tyler Robinson case. The Utah courts just released a 97-page transcript from a closed hearing that gives some insight into the defense's strategy.
Check local Arizona and Utah news outlets for the most granular updates on the freeway renaming proposal and the upcoming May hearing.