Give the Villain a Hero's Funeral

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He was evil, by the lights of the protagonist. But he was defeated, and now he's dead.

But he was famous, or he was in a highly-placed position, or somebody influential trusted him. If the general public finds out that he was a villain, then his family will suffer or his employers will go out of business.

There's no choice. So that innocent people do not suffer (or to protect the reputations of the people in charge, in more cynical works), the higher-ups have no option but to Give the Villain a Hero's Funeral. The protagonist is rarely happy with this decision... but usually understands why it had to be made.

This is a subtrope of both Never Speak Ill of the Dead and Treachery Cover-Up. Compare with The Power of Legacy, where people are mislead in order to protect the deceased's good name.

As a Death Trope, Spoilers ahead may be unmarked. Beware.

As an Ending Trope, Spoilers ahead may be unmarked. Beware.

No real life examples, please; Never Speak Ill of the Dead.

Examples of Give the Villain a Hero's Funeral include:

Literature

• The Apollo Murders: It wasn't until Kaz told Chad to make sure his story was straight before the trial that he realizes he was not only acting against NASA's interests but was also guilty of murder and treason. He drowns himself, and NASA gives him a headstone at Arlington.

Live-Action TV

• Star Trek: The Original Series, second pilot "Where No Man Has Gone Before". Gary Mitchell gains vast psionic powers and begins to think of himself as a god who regards humans as insects to be crushed. After Captain Kirk manages to kill him:

Kirk: "Captain's log, stardate 1313.8. Add to official losses, Dr. Elizabeth Dehner. Be it noted she gave her life in performance of her duty. Lieutenant Commander Gary Mitchell. Same notation." (to Spock) I want his service record to end that way. He didn't ask for what happened to him.