While Ruth's body was lying in state at Yankee Stadium it was estimated that 100,000 fans came to pay their respects at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

After the requiem, approximately 100,000 people lined the 30 mi (48 km) route to the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York.

The scale of the event was later described in Life magazine: "When the Yankee slugger died from cancer at the age of 53, he received the kind of tribute normally reserved for kings and presidents.

[9] The Babe Ruth Foundation named 57 honorary pallbearers, including many prominent politicians, baseball executives and players, and journalists.

[10] Notable pallbearers included: Babe Ruth played for the New York Yankees from 1920 to 1934 and was regarded as one of the greatest baseball players.

After the wake at Yankee Stadium, Ruth's body was moved on the night of August 18th and held at the Universal Funeral Chapel.

[15] The Brooklyn Daily Eagle ran the headline, "180,000 Brave Rain as Rites Are Held for Babe Ruth" on August 19, 1948.

[18][19] Also attending the funeral were Leo Durocher, manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Mel Ott, right fielder of the New York Giants, and Hank Greenberg, former first baseman and outfielder from the Detroit Tigers.

[22] Cardinal Spellman did not deliver a eulogy but he said a special prayer asking that Ruth's memory may inspire future generations.

[21] The text of his speech was reported by The Catholic Advance:[5] May the Divine Spirit that inspired Babe Ruth to overcome hardships and win the crucial game of life animate many generations of American youth to learn to play their positions on all American teams, and may this generous-hearted soul, through the mercy of God, the final scoring of his own good deeds, and the prayers of his faithful friends, rest in everlasting peace.

[21] The Catholic Advance estimated that 100,000 people lined the streets to watch Ruth's funeral procession along the 30 mi (48 km) route.

[5] The procession ended at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery where 6,000 people came to pay respect and witness Ruth's casket being interred.

[23] After his burial, a granite monument was placed on top of his gravesite, depicting Jesus Christ blessing a boy in a baseball uniform.