Death and state funeral of the 5th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
On 5 December 2016, at 23:30 IST, J. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the longest-serving general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, died of cardiac arrest in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, at the age of 68. Jayalalithaa's death was publicly announced at 00:15 on 6 December 2016. She was succeeded by her finance minister, O. Panneerselvam.
Government of India declared a one-day national mourning with the national flag in all government buildings flying at half-mast. Government of Tamil Nadu observed a seven-day state mourning period from 6 to 12 December 2016. Jayalalithaa's's lying in state took place in Rajaji Hall on 6 December 2016, during which time an estimated 1,000,000 people queued to pay their respects. It became one of the notable funerals in the world.
The state funeral service was held, and Jayalalithaa was buried next to her mentor M. G. Ramachandran's cemetery at the M.G.R. and Amma Memorial Complex later that evening.
Background.
On 22 September 2016, Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, as she was suffering from an infection and acute dehydration. Her official duties were handed over to her minister O. Panneerselvam on 12 October 2016, though she continued to remain as the chief minister of the state. She was also said to be suffering from a severe pulmonary infection and septicaemia, which were cured. On 4 December 2016, she was re-admitted to the intensive care unit after suffering a cardiac arrest around 16:45 on the evening. The hospital released a press statement stating that her condition was "very critical" and that she was on life support.
Death and national mourning.
Death and announcement.
On 6 December 2016 at around 0:15 IST, the hospital officially announced that she had died at 23:30 (5 December 2016) and she became the first female chief minister to die in office in India.
Government of India declared a one-day national mourning with the national flag in all government buildings flying at half-mast. While a seven-day state mourning from 6 to 12 December 2016 was observed by Government of Tamil Nadu, also three-day state mourning from 6 to 8 December 2016 were observed by Government of Kerala and the Government of Puducherry. One day state mourning on 6 December 2016 was observed by Government of Karnataka,Government of Bihar,Government of West Bengal,Government of Punjab,Government of Uttarakhand and Government of Goa.
Lying-in-state.
Her body was kept in state at her residence Veda Nilayam in Poes Garden until the wee hours of 6 December 2016 and later at Rajaji Hall for public to pay their tribute.
State funeral.
On the evening of 6 December 2016, the glass casket carrying her mortal remains was taken in an army truck bedecked with flowers from Rajaji Hall to M.G.R. Memorial for a long grand public procession. Around one million people paid an emotional farewell to her. Late Jayalalithaa's body was draped in her favorite green saree and kept inside a sandalwood coffin engraved with "Puratchi Thalaivi Selvi J Jayalalithaa". Her long-time aide V. K. Sasikala carried out the last rites, sprinkling rose petals, milk and holy water. Just after sunset, Jayalalithaa was buried into the ground at the northern end of Marina Beach in Chennai, near the grave of her mentor and the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu M. G. Ramachandran at the M.G.R. and Jayalalithaa memorial complex.
Reactions.
India.
 India:
International.
The US and several other countries sent condolences.
Coverage.
The news of Jayalalithaa's demise was covered by international media outlets such as the BBC, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Wall Street Journal and many more.
Succession and aftermath.
On 6 December 2016, O. Panneerselvam was elected as the AIADMK legislative party leader and chief minister of Tamil Nadu following the death of incumbent Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. At 01:15 IST, Panneerselvam along with 31 other cabinet ministers, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao at a solemn ceremony in the Raj Bhavan. On 11 December 2016, the AIADMK said that over 470 party cadres had died, 'shocked' by Jayalalithaa's demise, and announced a solatium of ₹3 lakhs to each of their families. On 31 December 2016, the AIADMK general council appointed Jayalalithaa's aide V. K. Sasikala as the acting general secretary of the AIADMK until a formal election was held for the post.
References.
 ;templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" / ;