A funeral service was held for Hptm. Boelcke in Cambrai Cathedral on 31 October 1916. This was the first time that a German hero had been honoured at one of the venerable cathedrals of Northern France and was conducted on a massive scale. Manfred von Richthofen wrote that "it was like that of a reigning prince", and it was his honour to carry Boelcke's medals on his Ordenkissen (a black velvet pillow). Following the funeral of his friend and mentor, von Richthofen was given command of Jasta 2, renamed Jasta Boelke.
