Chicago Firefighter Michael Altman’s Funeral Rescheduled After Wife Gives Birth

The private funeral for Michael Altman, a Chicago firefighter who died during a blaze earlier this month, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, March 31, according to the Chicago Fire Department. The change comes after Altman’s wife went into labor last Thursday, prompting the original Friday service to be postponed.

Despite the rescheduling, community members gathered for a visitation on Thursday afternoon at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel on South Western Avenue. The revised funeral arrangements include an invitation-only service at 10 a.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home and Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery.

Supporters wishing to honor Altman have been invited to line the procession route from 103rd Street and Cicero Avenue to Holy Sepulchre at 6001 West 111th Street on Tuesday morning.

Altman lost his life on March 16 while battling a fire in a four-story Rogers Park apartment building on the 1700 block of West North Shore Avenue. He was among the first responders on scene when he fell through a collapsed floor during firefighting operations.

The Chicago Fire Department has confirmed the updated arrangements and encouraged public support along the funeral route. Funeral services are planned to proceed as scheduled, with the community continuing to pay respects to Altman’s service and sacrifice.