on july 22, 1916, riley suffered a second stroke. he recovered enough during the day to speak and joke with his companions. he died before dawn on july 23. riley's death shocked the nation and made front page headlines in major newspapers. president woodrow wilson wrote a brief note to riley's family offering condolences on behalf of the entire nation. indiana governor samuel m. ralston offered to allow riley to lie in state at the indiana statehouse—abraham lincoln is the only other person to have previously received such an honor. during the ten hours he lay in state on july 24, more than thirty-five thousand people filed past his bronze casket; the line was still miles long at the end of the day, and thousands were turned away. the next day a private funeral ceremony was held and attended by many dignitaries. a large funeral procession then carried him to crown hill cemetery where he was buried in a tomb at the top of the hill, the highest point in the city of indianapolis.