Cathedral to Host Funeral Service for Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE
WASHINGTON – Washington National Cathedral will host the funeral service for world-renowned ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, on November 12, 2025, at 11:00 am. Dr. Goodall’s life and work made an indelible mark on our understanding of humankind and the environments we all share.
Initially recognized for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, Dr. Goodall’s observation of tool-use in non-human animals is known as the moment that “redefined humankind.” This finding was followed by many others during her research of wild chimpanzees, including the existence of strong mother-infant bonds, meat-eating and hunting, primitive warfare, altruism, and compassion. Dr. Goodall’s findings influenced fields of human health, evolution, and ecology.
Her passion and ingenuity made Dr. Goodall a singular figure in scientific and philosophical thought. In 1977 she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, which has grown into a global network of 26 chapters. Her youth empowerment program, Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, will soon mark the 35th anniversary of its’ founding on the porch of Jane’s home in Tanzania with a dozen young people, and is now active in more than 75 countries. As a UN Messenger of Peace since 2002, Dr. Goodall’s efforts were marked by her tireless commitment to inspiring individuals around the world to take action and make a difference. As a passionate advocate, she supported a broad range of causes and organizations over her lifetime, using her platform to support human rights, animal welfare, species and environmental protection, and many other crucial issues.
Service participants include:
- Officiants: The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington, and The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral
- Preacher: The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
- Tributes are expected to be offered by a member of the Goodall family, and other speakers to be announced
The service for Dr. Goodall will be by invitation, and only those with invitations issued in advance of the service will be admitted to the Cathedral. Security measures will be in place to ensure the health of the staff and guests in attendance. The public is invited to watch the service via the Cathedral’s YouTube channel or on the Cathedral’s website.
All media wishing to cover the memorial service must request press credentials from the Cathedral in advance by filling out the form at this link. All requests for credentials are due by Thursday, November 6 at noon ET, and determinations for these requests will be made on Monday, November 10. The Cathedral will have an HD livestream of the service, and still photography, which all media are free to use with credit to Washington National Cathedral.
“Dr. Goodall’s life was a testament to the power of one person’s dedication to understanding and protecting God’s creation,” said The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral. “Her legacy of compassion for all living things and her unwavering message of hope will continue to inspire humanity for generations to come.”
“Dr. Goodall exemplified human compassion, love, and kindness,” said Anna Rathmann, Executive Director, Jane Goodall Institute USA. “She possessed a lively sense of humor, a genuine, demonstrated empathy towards others, and she felt responsibility to advocate for animals, people, and the environment. Together we will honor her memory with the people whose lives she touched, who were filled with hope by her messages, and who were inspired to take action to protect wildlife and the natural world.”
Additional tributes and memorial services will take place around the world in the coming months, further celebrating the life of the global conservation icon.
About Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE
Jane Goodall was born on April 3, 1934, in London, England. At the young age of 26, she followed her passion for African wildlife to Gombe, Tanzania, where she began her landmark study of chimpanzees in the wild, immersing herself in their habitat as a neighbor rather than a distant observer. Her discovery in 1960 that chimpanzees make and use tools rocked the scientific world and redefined the relationship between humans and animals.
In 1977, she established the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) to advance her work around the world and for generations to come. JGI continues the field research at Gombe and builds on Dr. Jane’s innovative approach to conservation, which recognizes the central role that people play in the well-being of animals and the environment. In 1991, she created Roots & Shoots, an environmental and humanitarian program empowering young people of all ages to become involved in hands on projects of their choosing for their community, animals and the environment.
Prior to her recent passing, Dr. Goodall traveled the world nearly 300 days a year, speaking about the threats facing wildlife, environmental crises, and her reasons for hope. In her books and speeches, she emphasized the interconnectedness of all living things and the collective power of individual action. Dr. Goodall was a UN Messenger of Peace and a Dame Commander of the British Empire. Most recently, she received the United States’ Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025, for her contributions to science and advocacy for our planet. For more information, visit janegoodall.org or follow @JaneGoodallInst on social media.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ari Geller
[email protected]
202-689-4985
###
About Washington National Cathedral
Grounded in the reconciling love of Jesus Christ, Washington National Cathedral is a house of prayer for all people, conceived by our founders to serve as a great church for national purposes.