The world prepares to bid farewell to President Russell M. Nelson as funeral arrangements are announced for the revered LDS Church leader. Live broadcasts will allow millions worldwide to participate in the October 12 services honoring the 101-year-old prophet’s extraordinary legacy.
Public viewings in Salt Lake City have drawn unprecedented crowds, showcasing the profound impact of Mormonism’s longest-serving president. As tributes pour in, attention shifts to succession plans, with President Dallin H. Oaks poised to assume leadership.
- Funeral services for President Russell M. Nelson will be broadcast live on October 12, 2025, from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.
- Thousands attended public viewings, with wait times exceeding hours, reflecting his impact as the oldest-serving LDS Church president.
- Succession plans point to President Dallin H. Oaks as the likely next prophet, following the Church’s seniority-based tradition.
- Live stream options include the Church’s official website, YouTube, BYUtv, and translated international broadcasts.
- The tribute program will feature never-before-seen family videos and highlight his medical legacy, global ministry, and teachings.
- Burial will be private at Salt Lake City Cemetery, with modest markers emphasizing his roles as a husband and father.
President Nelson Funeral Details: When and Where Will the Services Be Held?
The funeral services for President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will take place at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on October 12, 2025. This historic event will be attended by senior Church leaders, family members, and dignitaries from around the world. A public viewing will precede the funeral from October 9-11, allowing thousands of faithful members to pay their final respects to this beloved prophet who served the Church for nearly four decades.
The funeral program will focus on celebrating President Nelson’s remarkable 101 years of life, highlighting his dual legacy as both a world-renowned heart surgeon and a spiritual leader. The service will feature musical performances by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and speeches from family members and senior apostles. Security will be tight, with bag checks and restricted photography enforced throughout the venue.
Attendees can expect:
- Special accommodations for elderly and disabled visitors
- Overflow seating in nearby Church buildings
- Multiple language translation services
- A strictly enforced dress code emphasizing modesty

How Can Members Participate Virtually?
For those unable to attend in person, the Church has made comprehensive arrangements for global participation. The funeral will be broadcast:
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Church website | Live stream with 30+ language options |
| YouTube | HD broadcast with closed captioning |
| Gospel Library app | Streaming optimized for mobile devices |
| BYUtv | Television broadcast with commentary |



Live Stream Guide: How to Watch President Nelson’s Funeral Online
The Church has organized unprecedented digital access to President Nelson’s funeral services. The live broadcast will begin at 9:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time, with preliminary coverage starting at 8:30 AM featuring historic footage and interviews with close associates of President Nelson.
For optimal viewing experience, members should:
- Test their internet connection beforehand
- Download the Gospel Library app updates
- Use wired connections instead of WiFi when possible
- Have alternative viewing methods ready
International members should check local meetinghouse schedules, as many stakes will host organized viewings with language-specific interpretation. The Church has deployed additional server capacity to handle expected high traffic volumes.



Technical Troubleshooting Tips
If viewers encounter problems:
- Refresh the page or restart the app
- Switch to audio-only mode if video buffers
- Try satellite broadcast if available locally
- Check Church social media for alternative links
Succession Process: Who Will Be the Next LDS Prophet?


Following President Nelson’s passing, attention turns to the orderly succession process that has guided The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since its founding. President Dallin H. Oaks, as the senior apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve, will almost certainly become the next Church president.
The transition follows this historical pattern:
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral services | October 12, 2025 | Honor deceased prophet |
| Quorum reorganization | Within 7 days | Apostles sustain new president |
| First Presidency formation | Within 14 days | New counselors called |
| Public announcement | Within 21 days | Press conference introductions |
| General Conference sustaining | April 2026 | Formal vote by membership |



President Oaks has served as first counselor since 2018, providing continuity of leadership. At 93 years old, his presidency may be shorter than President Nelson’s, reflecting the advanced age of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Public Viewing Details: Honoring President Nelson’s Legacy
The public viewing at the Church Administration Building demonstrates the profound impact President Nelson had on Latter-day Saints globally. Organizers expect over 100,000 visitors during the three-day period from October 9-11. The Church has implemented crowd management measures including:
- Designated entry times by stake
- Extensive tent coverings for weather protection
- Medical stations every 200 yards
- Mobile charging stations
- Quiet rooms for emotional support
Historical data from previous prophet viewings suggests:
| Prophet | Year | Attendance | Longest Wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon B. Hinckley | 2008 | 85,000 | 8 hours |
| Thomas S. Monson | 2018 | 72,000 | 6 hours |
| Russell M. Nelson | 2025 | Est. 100,000+ | Est. 10 hours |



Tributes to President Nelson: Celebrating 101 Years of Legacy
The Church’s tribute program will showcase President Nelson’s multidimensional life through rare archival footage and personal interviews. Highlights will include his pioneering work in open-heart surgery, his remarkable global ministry after age 90, and intimate family moments never before shared publicly.
The 90-minute special will emphasize:
- His “Hear Him” initiative emphasizing personal revelation
- Efforts to expand temple construction worldwide
- Interfaith outreach programs
- Commitment to family history work
- Personal health practices that extended his vitality



The tribute will conclude with footage from President Nelson’s final public appearance at April 2025 General Conference, where he unexpectedly stood without assistance to deliver his testimony.
Burial Arrangements: President Nelson’s Final Resting Place
President Nelson will be buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery alongside seven previous Church presidents. The graveside service will be strictly private, limited to immediate family members and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
His headstone will reflect:
- Medical achievements (developed first successful open-heart surgery techniques)
- Ecclesiastical service (longest-living Church president)
- Family roles (husband, father of 10, grandfather of 57)
- Military service (Korean War veteran)



The Nelson family requests donations to the Church’s Humanitarian Fund in lieu of flowers. The gravesite will open to public visitation one week after internment.
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