Hulk Hogan’s Funeral: Tributes from Pallbearers to the WWE Icon

Hulk Hogan’s family and friends celebrated his legacy during his funeral on Tuesday, August 5, with pallbearers paying heartfelt tribute to the iconic wrestler.

Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, arrived at a church in Largo, Florida, in a hearse on that Tuesday, where eight pallbearers awaited to carry his casket inside. The pallbearers donned black suits adorned with a distinct yellow rose in their lapels, as shown in photos from The Daily Mail.

This yellow flower symbolizes Hogan’s wrestling persona, reflecting his well-known bright yellow and red outfits worn in the ring.

Us Weekly reported that Hogan was honored at a memorial service nearly a week after he passed away on July 24 at the age of 71. He suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The official cause of death was determined to be acute myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as a heart attack, according to court documents obtained by Us on July 31.

The report also disclosed that Hogan had been diagnosed with Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a type of cancer affecting white blood cells. The timeline of his diagnosis remains unclear. (Court docs also mentioned plans for Hogan’s cremation, although a specific date has not been publicly shared.)

The announcement of Hogan’s death came as a shock to his fans, friends, and family, particularly since his wife, Sky Daily, had reassured the public just days earlier that he was doing okay.

“No, he’s definitely not in a coma,” Daily, who married Hogan in September 2023, stated via her Instagram Story on July 18, as reported by PennLive. “His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage. None of those rumors are true.”

She elaborated that Hulk had been facing health challenges, including “recovering from a major four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF),” but was on the mend.

While his close circle was aware of his health fluctuations, many, including Daily, remained hopeful about his recovery.

“I wasn’t ready for this … and my heart is in pieces,” Daily shared via Instagram on July 25. “He had been navigating some health issues, but I genuinely believed we would overcome them. I had an immense faith in his strength. I thought we had more time. This loss is sudden and unfathomable. To the world, he was a legend … but to me, he was my Terry. The man I loved. My partner. My heart.”

Hulk’s ex-wife Linda Hogan also voiced her astonishment at his sudden passing. “I had no inkling he would leave us this soon,” she noted on her Instagram post on July 28. “We all truly believed he would make a comeback! What a shock. We are all heartbroken. It’s hitting me so hard.”

Linda, who was married to Hulk from 1983 to 2009, added: “I love you Hulkster. You were my man. The only man for me. RIP.”

Hulk is survived by Daily and his two children, Brooke Hogan and Nick Hogan, from his marriage to Linda, as well as Brooke’s twins, Oliver and Andrew (Brooke is married to Steven Oleksy).

Despite having not spoken in two years, Brooke, 37, honored her father’s memory with a heartfelt social media tribute following his death, as did her brother.

“His eyes shine through my children. And our bond never broke, not even in his final moments. We shared a profound connection, one that transcended words, spanning lifetimes,” she wrote on Instagram last month. “I am incredibly grateful to have known the authentic version of him, not just the one the world portrayed through a curated lens. We had a quiet, sacred bond that anyone who witnessed us together could see and feel.”

Nick, 35, referred to Hulk as his “hero,” stating in his tribute, “He was the most kind, loving, and incredible father anyone could wish for. I feel fortunate to have had the greatest dad in the world. He was not just the best dad; he was my mentor and my best friend. He always has been my best friend, and I love him and miss him more than words can express.”