Why Donnie Swaggart Delayed His Father’s Funeral — A Monumental Farewell for Jimmy Swaggart
In a move that has both surprised and intrigued many across the world, Donnie Swaggart—the only son of legendary televangelist Jimmy Swaggart—has chosen to delay his father’s funeral. It’s an unexpected decision, especially in an age when celebrity funerals often happen swiftly, quietly, and far from the public eye. But Donnie’s reason? It’s not about silence. It’s about significance.
Behind closed doors, the Swaggart family is not just grieving a father—they’re carrying the weight of a global legacy. Jimmy Swaggart wasn’t just a preacher. He was a pioneer. A man who revolutionized Christian broadcasting, brought Pentecostal fire to millions of living rooms, and whose voice became a spiritual anchor for generations of believers. His sermons didn’t just teach—they transformed. His music didn’t just inspire—it carried the Spirit.
Born in 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana, Jimmy came from humble beginnings but rose to international prominence in the 1970s and ’80s. Through the power of television, he connected with broken hearts and hungry souls across continents. But his life was also marked by scandal and redemption. After public moral failure in the late ’80s, many counted him out. But with his wife Frances at his side and his faith intact, he rebuilt from the ground up—stronger, humbler, and more passionate than ever.
So when Donnie Swaggart chose to delay his father’s funeral, it wasn’t to avoid grief. It was to give the world a chance to say goodbye the right way.
“We have a responsibility not just to mourn,” Donnie said.
“But to celebrate my father’s life. His legacy is far too great to be rushed through in just one day.”
And indeed, that legacy demands more. Jimmy’s reach spanned continents. His followers number in the millions. For them, this funeral isn’t just a moment of farewell—it’s a moment of history.
The delay gives time for tributes to come in from around the globe. From pastors and worship leaders. From everyday believers who were saved watching SBN at 2 a.m. From families whose living rooms became sanctuaries because Jimmy Swaggart was preaching through their television.
For the Swaggarts, this isn’t just a funeral. It’s a global homegoing celebration. One that reflects not only the magnitude of the man but also the hope he preached—that the blood of Jesus still saves, still heals, still sets the captive free.
Donnie is also navigating the delicate balance between private grief and public responsibility.
“It’s hard,” he admitted.
“We’ve lost our father. And at the same time, we’re trying to honor the weight of everything he stood for.”
The family is allowing themselves time to mourn, but they’re also preparing an event that will serve as a spiritual milestone. Something bigger than tradition. Something timeless.
And for Donnie, this decision is also about the future. As he steps into his father’s shoes and takes on the leadership of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, he sees this moment not as an ending—but as the beginning of a new chapter. A chapter rooted in the same gospel fire that defined his father’s life.
“People who loved my father should have the chance to say goodbye in a way that reflects who he really was,” Donnie said.
“And when we finally gather to celebrate his life, it’s going to be something the world will remember.”
The Swaggart family sees this delay not as hesitation—but as honor. A sacred pause. A breath before a thunderous “Amen.”
Because this isn’t just about a man who died.
It’s about a gospel that lives on.
And in that spirit, when the final tribute comes—it won’t just echo through a church. It will echo across the airwaves, into hearts around the world, and through every life Jimmy Swaggart ever touched.
His race is finished. His crown awaits. But his message?
It’s still preaching.
And now, through Donnie and the generations to come, it will never stop.