Studying the problem of memoria and res publica in a modern historiography includes the investigation of a funeral procession. In the works analysed in this article historians differently consider the priority of functions of historical memory in respect to pompa funebris: K.-I. Hölkeskamp singles out the communicative one, E. Flaig – the proving one, and U. Walter – both of them. E. Flaig’s pays more attention comparing with the other authors to the educational function as well.