Rev. Jesse Jackson Funeral: Three Presidents, Family, and a City Say Goodbye

Chicago has completed its final farewell to the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., who died February 17, 2026 at age 84. Two extraordinary days of services — a massive public homegoing at House of Hope on Friday followed by a private service at Rainbow PUSH headquarters Saturday — have now concluded with burial at Oak Woods Cemetery.

The Public Homegoing at House of Hope — Friday, March 6

More than 1,000 people attended the public celebration of life ceremony for Jackson at House of Hope, including former Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, who were accompanied by former first ladies Jill Biden and Hillary Rodham Clinton, as well as Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas and Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts.

Jennifer Hudson performed "A Change Is Gonna Come," and gospel singers BeBe Winans and his older brother Marvin Winans also performed at the service.

Barack Obama's Eulogy — Defiant and Emotional

Obama said it is hard to hope when every day you wake up to things you just did not think were possible, and that each day Americans are told to fear each other, turn on each other, and that some Americans count more than others, and that some do not even count at all.

Obama credited Jackson's first presidential run and Harold Washington's election as Chicago's first Black mayor with drawing him to Chicago in the first place, calling Jackson's legacy of hope needed now more than ever.

Kamala Harris, Al Sharpton, and Isiah Thomas

Kamala Harris said she had predicted how President Trump's second term would play out, saying she was not into saying "I told you so," but they did see it coming — and that what she did not predict was that Jesse Jackson would not be with them to get through it.

Rev. Al Sharpton, who called Jackson the central mentor of his life, had visited Jackson in his final months in Chicago alongside the Clintons.

Jesse Jackson's Children Speak and Perform

All of Jackson's children spoke or performed. His sons Jesse Jackson Jr. and Rep. Jonathan Jackson delivered remarks, while daughter Santita Jackson performed "To God be the Glory." His widow Dr. Jacqueline Jackson also spoke at the services.

Yusef Jackson was photographed kissing his sister Ashley Jackson after speaking during the service for their father at House of Hope.

Saturday: Private Service, Stevie Wonder, and Burial

Other notable speakers at Saturday's private service at Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters included Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, Chicago Archbishop Cardinal Blase Cupich, and actor and comedian Chris Tucker.

Music legend Stevie Wonder performed a special musical tribute at Saturday's private homegoing service.

A procession followed, ending at Oak Woods Cemetery in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood — the same resting place as Ida B. Wells, Jesse Owens, and Chicago's first Black mayor Harold Washington. Jackson died February 17 at age 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder that had affected his mobility and ability to speak in his later years.

Capitol Hill Snub — No Lying in Honor

Services in Washington, D.C. were tabled after a request to let Jackson lie in honor at the United States Capitol rotunda was denied by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who said precedent typically reserves the space for select officials, including former presidents. The crowd repeatedly chanted "I am! Somebody!" throughout both services — the hallmark declaration Jackson preached his entire life.