State funerals in the United States

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President George H. W. Bush lying in state in the United States Capitol rotunda on December 3, 2018

In the

their family.[3]

History and development

Funerals of Founding Fathers

A Birch's Views of Philadelphia sketch depicting George Washington's mock funeral procession on High Street in Philadelphia on December 26, 1799.

The first general mourning proclaimed in the United States came upon the death of Benjamin Franklin in 1790, and in 1799, following the death of George Washington. Preparations for Franklin's funeral after his death on April 17, 1790, included a funeral procession to the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia and burial at Christ Church Burial Ground on April 21. It is estimated that 20,000 mourners gathered for Franklin's funeral. The cortege was composed of Philadelphia society, ranging from Mayor Samuel Powel to American astronomer David Rittenhouse.[4] Muffled bells rang and flags on the mast of ships as well as atop all government buildings flew at

half-staff. The United States Congress convened in New York City, which at the time served as the nation's capital, and passed a concurrent resolution observing an official period of mourning for one month. The French National Assembly, at the suggestion of Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau, was so moved by the death of Franklin that the legislature observed a three-day period of mourning.[5]

When Washington died at his

Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul, asked Louis-Marcelin de Fontanes to give a eulogy and ordered a ten-day requiem.[citation needed] In Britain, the Royal Navy was ordered to lower flags at half-mast on its entire fleet.[7]

Washington's actual funeral was a simple ceremony, organized by the local

Masonic funeral rites.[8]

Two former presidents,

United First Parish Church) in Quincy, Massachusetts, was held on July 7 and was attended by an estimated crowd of 4,000 people. Pastor Peter Whitney officiated the service. Although many people in Boston wanted Adams's funeral to be held at the State House using taxpayer money, this idea was rejected by the Adams family. Nevertheless, cannons were fired from Mount Wollaston, bells were rung, and the procession that took the president's casket from the Adams' home to the church was followed by Massachusetts Governor Levi Lincoln Jr., Harvard University President John Thornton Kirkland, members of the state legislature, and United States Congressman Daniel Webster.[10]

History of presidential state funerals in Washington

Early Days

The first state funeral was for

Dirges were played by the United States Marine Band during the funeral procession to the Congressional Cemetery where interment occurred.[12]

When Zachary Taylor died on July 9, 1850, 1 year, 4 months into his term of office, he was given a state funeral similar in its details to Harrison's. Behind Taylor's black-and-white caisson, his horse "Old Whitey" followed riderless, with a pair of riding boots reversed in the stirrups.[12]

First presidents to lie in state

Harper’s Weekly drawing depicting the remains of Abraham Lincoln lying in repose in the East Room
of the White House on April 18, 1865.

It was not until the

United States Capitol Rotunda.[16]

The remains of James A. Garfield arrived in the nation's capital on September 21, two days after his death. A floral arrangement was mounted on his casket, complemented with ornate "stuffed doves of peace". A large crowd of mourners numbering over 100,000 people viewed his casket as he lay in state in the Capitol rotunda.[12]

A guard of honor carrying the casket of William McKinley up the center steps of the Capitol for the lying in state on September 17, 1901.

When the funeral train of William McKinley arrived in Washington, D.C., on September 16, 1901, two days after his death, the casket was taken to the East Room in the White House where a lavish display of palms, fruit trees, and floral arrangements transversed into the Cross Hall. The following day, McKinley's casket was transported to the Capitol rotunda to lie in state.[12]

Early to mid 20th century

The remains of Warren G. Harding lying in repose in the East Room of the White House on August 7, 1923.

Cabinet, and dignitaries inside the Capitol rotunda. The silver casket was covered with a flag, a spread eagle, and topped off with red, white, and blue flowers personally designed by Harding's widow Florence.[12]

A horse drawn caisson transporting the remains of William Howard Taft from the Capitol to All Souls Church, Unitarian on March 11, 1930.

Former president

United States Supreme Court acted as honorary pallbearers.[17]

On April 14, 1945, a horse-drawn caisson transported the casket of Franklin D. Roosevelt on Pennsylvania Avenue en route to Washington Union Station.

lay in repose in the East Room of the White House. A private funeral service was conducted there; only family members, close friends, high government officials, members of both chambers of the Congress, and heads of foreign missions attended. Though there was no lying in state in the Capitol rotunda, flags were lowered to half-staff at the White House and the Capitol.[18] After private funeral services were held in Washington, D.C., Roosevelt's remains were transported on a funeral train to his Hyde Park, New York residence, Springwood Estate, for interment.[12]

John F. Kennedy

President John F. Kennedy lying in state in the United States Capitol Rotunda on November 24, 1963
See also: Assassination of John F. Kennedy, State funeral of John F. Kennedy, and List of dignitaries at the state funeral of John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas.

Kennedy's body was brought back to Washington after his assassination. Early on November 23, six military pallbearers carried the flag-draped coffin into the East Room of the White House, where he lay in repose for 24 hours.[19][20] Then, the coffin was carried on a horse-drawn caisson to the Capitol to lie in state. Throughout the day and night, hundreds of thousands lined up to view the guarded casket,[21][22] with a quarter million passing through the rotunda during the 18 hours of lying in state.[21]

Kennedy's funeral service was held on November 25, at

Requiem Mass was led by Cardinal Richard Cushing.[23] About 1,200 guests, including representatives from over 90 countries, attended.[24][25] After the service, Kennedy was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
in Virginia.

Since 1963: former presidents

Dying in his suite at the

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church on October 22. When Hoover's casket arrived in Washington, D.C., on October 23, his remains lay in state in the Capitol rotunda for two days before they were flown to West Branch, Iowa, for interment.[26]

A guard of honor carrying the remains of Dwight D. Eisenhower down the center steps on the east front of the Capitol on March 31, 1969.

When Dwight D. Eisenhower died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on March 28, 1969, plans for his state funeral had already been drawn up earlier, in 1966, although they were somewhat altered by the Eisenhower family. With a strong emphasis on military rites in honor of Eisenhower's contribution as Supreme Allied Commander during World War II, ceremonial and religious aspects also called for flags to be lowered to half-staff for 30 days, a lying in state in the Capitol rotunda, as well as a religious service held at Washington National Cathedral.[27]

The funeral service of Lyndon B. Johnson held at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C., on January 24, 1973.

On January 22, 1973,

half-staff for 30 days as had been observed for Truman. The Johnson family stayed at Blair House during the state funeral. After funeral services were held at National City Christian Church on January 25, the Johnsons flew back to Texas where interment later that afternoon occurred at the Johnson ranch in Stonewall, Texas.[28]

State funerals in the 21st century

A guard of honor moving the casket of Ronald Reagan to a sunset interment ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, on June 11, 2004.
See also: Death and state funeral of Ronald Reagan, Death and state funeral of Gerald Ford, and Death and state funeral of George H. W. Bush

Ronald Reagan died on June 5, 2004, in Los Angeles, California, from complications of Alzheimer's disease. A state funeral occurred in Washington, D.C., and Simi Valley, California, where Reagan was interred at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. 200,000 mourners (5,000 per hour) filed past Reagan's casket in the Capitol rotunda June 9–11, 2004.[29] Over two dozen world leaders listened to eulogies given by President George W. Bush, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during a national funeral service held at Washington National Cathedral.[30][31]

A guard of honor carries the remains of Gerald Ford down the east steps of the Capitol to an awaiting hearse on January 2, 2007.

When Gerald Ford died on December 26, 2006, of arteriosclerotic cerebrovascular disease and diffuse arteriosclerosis, a state funeral was held in Palm Desert, California, Washington, D.C., and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Eulogies were given at Washington National Cathedral by former Presidents George H. W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, journalist Tom Brokaw, and sitting President George W. Bush. Ford's remains were then flown to Michigan for interment at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.[32]

The casket containing the remains of George H. W. Bush is removed from Washington National Cathedral following his funeral service on December 5, 2018.

George Bush Presidential Library.[36]

Presidential funerals not taking place in Washington

Ulysses S. Grant died on July 23, 1885, after a battle with throat cancer that had been extensively covered by the press. His funeral was held August 8, 1885, in New York, featuring a funeral procession of 60,000 men as well as a 30-day, nationwide period of mourning. People who eulogized him likened him to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, then the nation's two greatest heroes.[37]

The funeral service of Richard Nixon was attended by President Bill Clinton, former Presidents George H. W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford and their wives on April 27, 1994, at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.

On April 18, 1994,

New York Hospital–Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan. Despite being a former president eligible for the honor of a full state funeral, and in keeping with Nixon’s expressed personal wishes prior to his death, his family opted for a subdued funeral service on the grounds of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California.[38][39] Consensus was held by members of the Nixon family that had any events occurred at the Capitol, visitors might not be respectful towards the memory of Nixon.[40] After his death, Nixon’s remains were flown to California in an Air Force jet where his body lay in repose at his presidential library from the morning of April 26 until his funeral service the following day. An estimated 42,000 people passed by Nixon’s casket in order to pay their respects. Eulogies were delivered by President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Senator Bob Dole, California Governor Pete Wilson, and Reverend Billy Graham. Also in attendance were former Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and their wives. After the funeral service concluded, Nixon was buried beside his wife Pat.[41][42][29][43]

History of non-presidential state funerals

Admiral of the Navy in recognition of his 1898 naval victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish–American War, was carried by honor guards down the center steps at the Capitol on January 20, 1917.
The funeral procession on Pennsylvania Avenue for the unknown soldier of World War I in Washington, D.C., on November 11, 1921.
Two unknown soldiers who gave their lives serving overseas in the Armed Forces during World War II and the Korean War
lay in state in the Capitol rotunda, May 28–30, 1958.

The first non-presidential state funeral was for Thaddeus Stevens in 1868. When Stevens died on August 11, mourners came to his home in Washington, D.C., to pay their respects, including U.S. Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts. Stevens's remains were transported by a cavalry regiment to the Capitol where he lay in state in the rotunda on August 13, 1868, until the morning of August 14. After a short funeral service, Stevens's remains were taken to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for interment.[44]

In 1921, a state funeral was conducted for the

Châlons-sur-Marne, it was Edward F. Younger of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 50th Infantry, American Forces in Germany who selected the third casket from left that contained an unknown soldier to be honored with a state funeral in Washington D C. and for burial at Arlington. In Washington, D.C., the unknown soldier was escorted to the Capitol in a funeral procession on November 9. With lying in state occurring in the rotunda, some 90,000 people on November 9–10 filed past the casket that rested on the Lincoln Catafalque. A funeral service was conducted at the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater in the presence of President Warren G. Harding. Interment and burial of the unknown soldier with military rites took place at the newly constructed tomb.[45]

On July 15, 1948,

four-star rank that the general attained in his military career.[46]

Like the Unknown Soldier of World War I, it was decided in June 1946 by the

Pacific area, the former Africa-Middle East zone now part of the Mediterranean zone, and the Alaskan Command chosen by one of five representatives of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, each of whom had received the highest award of his service during World War II. Plans for a state funeral was to occur between May 27–30, 1950, but this was shelved because of the outbreak of the Korean War. Interest though was revived in August 1955 long after the war concluded and on August 2, 1956, the 84th United States Congress enacted Public Law 975 that authorized the burial of an unknown soldier of the Korean War in addition to the unknown soldier of World War II. The two caskets bearing the remains of the two unknown soldiers rested atop two catafalques in the Capitol rotunda. Lying in state occurred from May 28–30, 1958. A funeral procession of two horse-drawn caissons traveled from the Capitol on Constitution Avenue, 23rd Street, Arlington Memorial Bridge, and Memorial Drive to Arlington National Cemetery. As the funeral cortege reached the Memorial Gate, twenty jet fighters and bombers passed overhead with one plane missing from each formation. A funeral service was held at the Memorial Amphitheatre attended by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Vice President Richard Nixon, and members of Congress. A burial service conducted with military rites included a three-volley salute, the playing of Taps, and the folding of flags. It is estimated that over 4,800 members of the Armed Forces participated in the state funeral of the unknown soldiers of World War II and the Korean War.[47]

A state funeral was held for

Washington National Airport and flown to Naval Station Norfolk on a Lockheed C-130 Hercules. A fourth funeral procession occurred in the streets of Norfolk, stopping at the MacArthur Memorial where lying in repose occurred in the rotunda from April 9–11. After a religious service was held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on April 11 in Norfolk for an invited 400 guests, a fifth and final horse-drawn procession back to the MacArthur Memorial occurred. A three-volley salute, the folding of the flag, and a 19-gun salute accorded to a five-star rank of general, which MacArthur possessed, was fired before burial in a crypt.[48]

On August 25, 2012,

burial-at-sea ceremony on September 14, 2012, aboard the USS Philippine Sea.[50]

The most recent non-presidential state funeral was for

United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg after she died on September 18, 2020, making her the first woman and first Jew to be accorded this honor.[51][52]

Presidential places of burial

See also:
List of burial places of presidents of the United States
The McKinley National Memorial located in Canton, Ohio, where the remains of William McKinley were interred in 1907.

Many presidents have been interred in cemeteries, tombs, crypts, vaults, in the grounds at a place of residence, and inside cathedrals. Some examples include the following. The remains of George Washington were interred in a tomb at his Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon, in 1799. After falling into disrepair as well as grave robbers attempting to steal the remains of Washington, a new and more secure vault was constructed at Mount Vernon in 1831.[53] Thomas Jefferson was interred at the Monticello Graveyard in the grounds of his Virginia plantation, Monticello, in 1826.[9] The remains of Abraham Lincoln were exhumed and moved a total of seventeen times, the first exhumation occurring in 1865, before the ornate and lavish Lincoln Tomb was finally built for final interment in 1901 at Oak Ridge Cemetery located in Springfield, Illinois.[54] Ulysses S. Grant, who died in 1885, was interred in Riverside Park in New York City where eventually, the construction of Grant's Tomb housing the former president's remains was finally completed and dedicated in 1897.[55] The remains of Woodrow Wilson were interred in a sarcophagus inside Washington National Cathedral in 1924.[56][57] In 1933 Calvin Coolidge was interred with minimal ceremony in the village cemetery in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, becoming the last president to be buried in a public cemetery.[58] William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy were interred at Arlington National Cemetery in the years 1930 and 1963 respectively.[59][60]

Many presidents in recent years have been interred at their

George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.[63]

Major components

See also: Military funerals in the United States
3rd United States Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard" firing a 21-gun salute for Gerald Ford during an evening arrival ceremony held at Andrews Air Force Base
on December 30, 2006.

In the

executive order which authorizes the closure of all federal departments, agencies, and buildings on a national day of mourning
during a state funeral.

On the day after the death of a president, a former president, or a president-elect unless the day falls on a Sunday or holiday, in which case the honor will be rendered the following day, the commanders of Army installations with the necessary personnel and material traditionally order that one gun be fired every half hour, beginning at

cabinet members, and 5-star generals
. For each flag rank junior to a five-star officer, two guns are subtracted.

The commanding general of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region will act as a military escort for the president's family from the time of the official announcement of death until interment occurs.[65] Two examples of this role was by Major General Galen B. Jackman who escorted former First Lady Nancy Reagan during the state funeral of Ronald Reagan in 2004[66] and Lieutenant General Guy C. Swan III who escorted former First Lady Betty Ford during the state funeral of Gerald Ford in 2006–07.[67]

Most state funerals include a nine-person honor guard acting as pallbearers (also known as body bearers) from all six branches of the Armed Forces, a series of

3rd United States Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard", flyovers in missing man formation, various musical selections performed by military bands and choirs, a military chaplain for the immediate family, and a flag-draped casket or pall.[65]

Sitting presidents who die while in office may

East Room of the White House. Former presidents may lie in repose in their home or adopted state, usually at their presidential library, before traveling to Washington, D.C., when thereafter, lying in state in the United States Capitol Rotunda will occur. Dwight D. Eisenhower was an exception to this general rule. Following his death at Walter Reed Army Hospital in 1969, Eisenhower lay in repose in the Bethlehem Chapel at Washington National Cathedral for 28 hours,[68]
rather than at his presidential library in Abilene, Kansas.

Funeral procession

See also: Limbers and caissons and Black Jack (horse)
A horse-drawn caisson transporting the casket of Warren G. Harding in front of the North Portico entrance of the White House, August 1923.
A horse-drawn caisson transporting the casket of Ronald Reagan on Constitution Avenue en route to the Capitol on June 9, 2004.

A funeral procession occurs during a state funeral on

National World War II Memorial in order to pay tribute to his service in the United States Navy during World War II.[71][72]

Each of the three march units are led by a

color guards will march on foot, with the center color guard having responsibility for trooping the national colors, the flag of the United States. Following immediately behind the caisson, a single color guard will march on foot trooping the presidential standard, the flag of the president of the United States
.

ceremonial sword
attached to the saddle and a pair of the president's boots reversed in the stirrups.

Next, a single honor guard will march on foot holding the reins of a caparisoned,

presidential motorcade.[65]

During the funeral procession midway between the White House and the Capitol as the caisson passes through the intersection of Constitution Avenue and 4th Street, N.W., a flyover consisting of 21 tactical fighter aircraft from the United States Air Force, will fly in formation as a single lead aircraft followed by 5 flights of four aircraft each. The #3 aircraft in the final flight executes the maneuver of missing man low enough to be clearly seen by on-looking spectators below.[65]

The funeral procession traditionally ends at the center steps on the east front of the Capitol. Exceptions were made for Lyndon B. Johnson, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford. Johnson's casket was carried up the Senate wing steps because the center steps were blocked with construction scaffolding from the second inauguration of Richard Nixon which occurred just days earlier.[75] As a break with tradition, Reagan, as former Governor of California, requested that his casket be carried up the steps of the Capitol's West Front facing California.[76] Ford, as a former member of the United States House of Representatives, requested that his casket be carried up the House wing steps.[77]

Funeral processions on Pennsylvania Avenue

Military units seen marching down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., during the state funeral for Abraham Lincoln on April 19, 1865.

Pennsylvania Avenue has been used for eight presidential funeral processions, including the

U.S. states in the Union. On July 13, 1850, the funeral procession for Zachary Taylor on Pennsylvania Avenue stretched for over two miles. On April 19, 1865, a cortege numbering an unprecedented 30,000 people escorted the remains of Abraham Lincoln on the avenue from the White House to the Capitol. In 1881, the body of James A. Garfield was escorted on Pennsylvania Avenue by the new president, Chester A. Arthur, and ex-President Ulysses S. Grant. Returned to Washington, D.C., ten days earlier by a funeral train, the remains of William McKinley were escorted on the rain-dampened avenue from the White House to the Capitol on September 17, 1901. Carriages bearing the new president, Theodore Roosevelt, and ex-President Grover Cleveland, preceded the marchers. On August 8, 1923, Warren G. Harding was honored by a cavalry escort led by General John J. Pershing during the president's funeral procession on the avenue to the Capitol. Kennedy's casket rode on the same caisson that had borne Franklin D. Roosevelt's body on Constitution Avenue eighteen years earlier,[79][78] making Roosevelt the only president to die in office whose funeral procession did not take place on Pennsylvania Avenue.[80] After Lyndon B. Johnson died in 1973, his funeral procession went down Pennsylvania Avenue, but from the Capitol, as it was on the way to National City Christian Church, as the funeral services were held there on January 25.[28]

The nation has also honored other people with a funeral procession on Pennsylvania Avenue. They include Vice President

Unknown Soldier of World War I with a funeral procession on the avenue on November 11, 1921. President Harding, General Pershing, and Chief Justice Taft all walked on foot behind the caisson while ailing ex-President Woodrow Wilson rode in a horse-drawn carriage, which was followed by the entire Congress.[80]

Capitol rotunda service and lying in state

See also:
Lincoln Catafalque
Lincoln Catafalque was used when James A. Garfield lay in state in the Capitol rotunda, September 21–23, 1881.
Members of the public paying their respects in the Capitol rotunda during the lying in state of George H. W. Bush
on the evening of December 3, 2018.

Shortly after the casket is moved onto the floor of the Capitol rotunda and placed on top of the

prayers, and the laying of floral wreaths will be conducted. Afterward, the president's remains lie in state or an honoree's remains lie in honor for public viewing. Although lying in state continues for a period of at least 24 hours, it differs from lying in honor. Five honor guards, each representing a branch of the Armed Forces, will face the flag-draped casket while holding their rifles with their right hand and keeping the rifle butt resting on the floor. These honor guards will periodically rotate in order to relieve previous honor guards during their constant vigil over the casket. A mass public viewing is permitted during the lying in state until one hour before the next departure ceremony begins.[82]

Religious service

Over 2,100 people attended the Episcopal funeral service for Dwight D. Eisenhower at Washington National Cathedral on March 31, 1969.

A national funeral service, with a religious theme, is traditionally held at

Roman Catholic.[23][85] A funeral service was held for Lyndon B. Johnson at National City Christian Church, as he worshipped there often while president.[86][28]

Various foreign dignitaries,

heads of government, such as prime ministers and premiers.[87] During the funeral service, military top brass sit in the north transept and extended family members sit in the south transept, if the funeral service is held at Washington National Cathedral. The length of these religious services has varied. More recent ones have tended to include multiple eulogies and thus have been longer. Eisenhower's was roughly thirty minutes. Bush's was slightly over two hours.[88]

his presidential library
in College Station for interment on December 6, 2018.

Immediately after the national funeral service is completed, the casket travels to its final resting place for interment. Before the mid-20th century, the casket was moved long distances across the nation by a

EMD SD70ACe locomotive known as Union Pacific 4141.[91]

Interment

Jacqueline Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy departing Arlington National Cemetery after the conclusion of interment for John F. Kennedy
on November 25, 1963.

More reminiscent of a

Final Salute
" is given.

During interment, fighter aircraft provided by the United States Air Force will perform a second and final aerial flyover in missing man formation, as would be previously observed during a ceremonial procession on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.[65]

Flag folding and presentation

Eight guards of honor prepare to fold the U.S. flag over President John F. Kennedy's casket at Arlington National Cemetery on November 25, 1963.
See also: United States Flag Code

A final component of a state funeral, as is typically offered during military funerals for fallen

veterans, is the folding of the flag of the United States and its presentation to the next of kin. The flag draped over the casket is meticulously folded twelve times by a total of eight honor guards, four on each side of the casket. Next, an honor guard representing one of the five branches of the Armed Forces will present the flag to the next of kin by kneeling in front of the recipient, holding the folded flag waist high with the straight edge facing the recipient, while leaning toward the recipient. Until 2012, depending on the service of the selected honor guard chosen to present the flag to the next of kin, each of the five military branches used slightly different wording.[93]

Music

Members of the United States Marine Band participated in Ronald Reagan's funeral procession to the Capitol on June 9, 2004.
The bugle used by Keith Clark to perform Taps during John F. Kennedy's interment at Arlington National Cemetery on November 25, 1963.
See also: United States military bands

The premier military bands from the five branches of the Armed Forces have an approved musical repertoire that they perform while marching on Pennsylvania or Constitution Avenue. The use of muffled drums and bagpipes are common as well.

Military

musical honors such as the presidential fanfare Hail to the Chief, the bugle call Taps, and Ruffles and flourishes, are performed by military bands as a mark of respect.[65]

During the

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Kennedy was honored by nine bagpipers from the Black Watch, an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, who traveled from the United Kingdom to participate in the state funeral.[95][96] They performed The Brown Haired Maiden, The Badge of Scotland, The 51st Highland Division, and The Barren Rocks of Aden.[97]

During a national funeral service, such as those held at Washington National Cathedral, the Cathedral Choir or the Armed Forces Choir will sing a selection of religious and patriotic music. In 1969, Dwight D. Eisenhower's state funeral included a religious service at the Cathedral that incorporated music such as Schmucke dich, o liebe Seele by

Ave Maria by Franz Schubert,[101] and In Manus Tuus by Vincent Novello. The organist and choirmaster was Eugene Stewart.[97][101]

Solo musicians who are globally acclaimed have also performed during a funeral service, a recent example being Irish tenor Ronan Tynan who at the request of First Lady Nancy Reagan, sang Amazing Grace at Washington National Cathedral during the Reagan state funeral in 2004.[102] During the Ford state funeral in 2007, renowned Metropolitan Opera singer Denyce Graves sangThe Lord’s Prayer by Albert Hay Malotte at the Cathedral during the homily.[99] In 2018, Irish tenor Ronan Tynan was invited again to the Cathedral to sing during the Bush state funeral. His musical selections included Malotte’s The Lord’s Prayer and Last Full Measure of Devotion by Larry Grossman. In addition, Christian contemporary soloist Michael W. Smith sang Friends, a piece of music attributed to him.[100] Other venues, such as National City Christian Church invited American soprano Leontyne Price to sing Take My Hand, Precious Lord during Lyndon B. Johnson's state funeral in 1973.[103][104]

List of lying in state and honor recipients

See also: Lying in state
Unknown Soldier of World War I who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on November 9, 1921.
Lyndon B. Johnson, members of Congress and the Kennedy family view the lying in state of John F. Kennedy in the Capitol rotunda on November 24, 1963.
Richard Nixon, members of Congress and the Johnson family view the lying in state of Lyndon B. Johnson in the Capitol rotunda on January 24, 1973.
The remains of Ronald Reagan lying in state in the Capitol rotunda on June 10, 2004, as mourners and spectators file past his casket.
Dick Cheney, members of Congress and the Ford family view the lying in state of Gerald Ford in the Capitol rotunda on December 30, 2006.
Members of the public view the lying in state of George H. W. Bush
in the Capitol rotunda on December 3, 2018.

Since the death of

government officials whose remains are placed in the rotunda for view by the public to pay their respects will lie in state. Individuals other than members of the government will lie in honor.[105] The rotunda has been used five times for six individuals who have lain in honor: four members of the United States Capitol Police killed defending the building (two in 1998 and two in separate incidents in 2021); civil rights activist Rosa Parks in 2005; and evangelist and minister Billy Graham in 2018.[106][107]

When lying in state, six guards of honor, each representing one of the six branches of the Armed Forces, will periodically rotate and relieve the preceding set of guards of honor who watch over the remains. For recipients who have been designated to lie in honor, the United States Capitol Police will act as guards of honor. No law, written rule, or regulation specifies who may lie in state. Use of the Capitol rotunda is controlled by a concurrent resolution of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Any person who has rendered distinguished service to the nation may lie in state if the family so wishes and the United States Congress approves. In the case of unknown soldiers, the president or the appropriate branch of the Armed Forces initiates the action.[108]

People who have lain in state in the United States Capitol rotunda are as follows:[109]

People who have lain in honor in the United States Capitol rotunda are as follows:[109]

People who have lain in state in the National Statuary Hall at the United States Capitol are as follows:[116]

People who have lain in state in the House Chamber at the United States Capitol are as follows:[108]

People who have lain in state in the Herbert C. Hoover Building are as follows:[108]

People who have lain in repose in the Senate Chamber at the United States Capitol are as follows:[119][120]

Presidents who have lain in repose in the East Room of the White House

Supreme Court Justices who have lain in state in the Old Senate Chamber at the United States Capitol are as follows:[108]

Supreme Court Justices who have lain in repose in the Great Hall at the United States Supreme Court Building are as follows:[108]

Funeral arrangements

Each president living, sitting or former, is generally expected to have funeral plans in place on becoming president. The

Military District of Washington (MDW) has primary responsibility in overseeing state funerals and in all cases, must strictly follow the outline of a 138-page planning document. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, state funerals are designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a National Special Security Event (NSSE), making the United States Secret Service
in charge of security.

Detailed funeral arrangements have emerged for

Atlanta, Georgia. Carter has stated that his final interment and burial will be in the front yard of his family's residence, which is now a component of the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains, Georgia.[123]

See also

  • Death and two state funerals of Kalākaua
  • Death and state funeral of Liliuokalani

References

  1. ^ APPENDIX A-3-TABLE OF ENTITLEMENT, 1965. United States Army.
  2. ^ a b "State Funeral Traditions". United States Army. Archived from the original on 2011-09-06.
  3. ^ "Arlington's Ceremonial Horses and Funerals at the White House" (PDF). White House Historical Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-06-26.
  4. ^ "Benjamin Franklin's Funeral and Grave". Independence Hall Association.
  5. ^ Benjamin Franklin: his autobiography: with a narrative of his public life and services. Harper & Brothers. 1849. p. 546. Funeral of Ben Franklin.
  6. ^ "The Funeral of George Washington" (PDF). National Park Service.
  7. ISBN 9780765310699
    .
  8. ^ "The Papers of George Washington: The Funeral". University of Virginia. Archived from the original on 2006-07-05.
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Works cited

Further reading

External links

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