Set against the outpouring of grief was near-total official silence on where Venezuela is heading next, including when the election will take place.
Even the exact time and place of Chavez's funeral Friday has not been announced, nor has it been revealed where he will be laid to rest.
During Chavez's nearly two-year health fight, the government never specified the exact location or type of cancer he had.
Opponents already have been stepping up criticism of the government's questionable moves after Chavez's death, including naming Maduro, the vice president, as interim president in apparent violation of the constitution, and the military's eagerness to choose political sides.
For a day, at least, Chavez's heartbroken supporters immersed themselves in emotion and sad farewells.