Judge Frank Caprio’s Funeral to Be Livestreamed for Global Fans on August 29
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The funeral service of Judge Frank Caprio, affectionately known worldwide as the “nicest judge in the world,” will be livestreamed on Friday, August 29, giving millions of fans the chance to pay their respects from afar.
Caprio, who passed away on August 21 at the age of 88 following a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, earned global recognition through his courtroom reality show Caught in Providence. His compassion, humor, and willingness to give defendants a second chance transformed him into a symbol of kindness and empathy that resonated far beyond Rhode Island.
The funeral mass will take place at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence, beginning at 10 a.m. local time. While local residents are welcome to attend in person, Caprio’s family confirmed that the service will also be streamed live on his official Facebook and YouTube channels.
“We’d like to thank you for your tremendous outpouring of love and support for us during this very difficult time,” Caprio’s son said in a social media post. “We’ve been getting thousands of requests from people around the world who would like to join us to pray with us at my father’s funeral mass. So we will be live streaming the mass on our social media pages. Any of you who would like to join us and pray with us, you can do so.”
Caprio served on the Providence Municipal Court bench beginning in 1985 and became chief judge in 1991, holding the position until his retirement in 2023. His show, which featured clips of his rulings, became a viral sensation and earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2021. Over time, Caprio amassed millions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, with fans praising his compassion and humanity in the courtroom.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee called Caprio a “Rhode Island treasure” and ordered flags across the state to be flown at half-staff in his honor. Tributes have also poured in from around the world, with admirers recalling his ability to turn even the smallest cases into moments of humanity, fairness, and hope.
As the livestreamed service approaches, fans across the globe will have the opportunity to join together in a collective farewell, celebrating the life and legacy of a man whose kindness extended far beyond the bench.