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] lying in state]] ] lying in state]]


'''Lying in state''' is the tradition in which the body of a dead ] is placed in a state building, either outside or inside a ], to allow the public to pay their respects. It traditionally takes place in the principal government building of a country or city. While the practice differs among countries, a viewing in a location other than the principal government building may be referred to as ].<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611215010/http://www.mdw.army.mil/reagan/General/lying_in_state.html |date=June 11, 2007 }}</ref> '''Lying in state''' is the tradition in which the body of a dead ] is placed in a state building, either outside or inside a ], to allow the public to pay their respects. It traditionally takes place in the principal government building of a country, state, or city. While the practice differs among countries, a viewing in a location other than the principal government building may be referred to as ].<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611215010/http://www.mdw.army.mil/reagan/General/lying_in_state.html |date=June 11, 2007 }}</ref>

⚫ ==South Africa==

⚫ ] was the first democratically elected president to lie in state in ].{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} The event took place at the ] the same site where he was inaugurated as the ] on May 10, 1994. The body of Mandela was lying in State for three days starting on Wednesday the 11th of December 2013 and ending on Friday the 13th of December 2013. The body was viewed by thousands of South Africans before it was airlifted to ] in the Eastern Cape where Mandela was laid to rest on the 15th of December 2013.


==Canada== ==Canada==
In ], official lying in state is a part of a ], an honor generally reserved for former ] and former ], and takes place in the ] of ], in the national capital, ]. Ex-governors general lie in state in the ], while former prime ministers lie in the Hall of Honour. During the period of lying in state, the coffins are flanked at each corner by a ], made up of four members drawn from the ] and ], as well as members of the ] for former governors general, and guards from the parliamentary security forces for former prime ministers. Guards stand at each corner with heads bowed and weapons inverted (resting on Arms reversed) with their backs turned towards the casket. In ], official lying in state is a part of a ], an honor generally reserved for former ] and former ]. It is held in the ] of ], in the national capital, ]. Ex-governors general lie in state in the ], while former prime ministers lie in the Hall of Honour. During the period of lying in state, the coffins are flanked at each corner by a ], made up of four members drawn from the ] and ], as well as members of the ] for former governors general, and guards from the parliamentary security forces for former prime ministers. Guards stand at each corner with heads bowed and weapons inverted (resting on Arms reversed) with their backs turned towards the casket.


Provinces may also mount state funerals, and have a lying in state for a distinguished former resident. For instance, ] was given a state funeral by the province of ] when he died in 2000; his coffin lay in state at the ].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/05/28/rocketfuneral000528.html | work=CBC News | title=Rocket to get state funeral | date=May 28, 2000}}</ref> This process was repeated for fellow Canadiens legend ] in December 2014. Provinces may also mount state funerals, and have a lying in state for a distinguished former resident. For instance, ], nationally known hockey player, was given a state funeral by the province of ] when he died in 2000; his coffin lay in state at the ].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/05/28/rocketfuneral000528.html | work=CBC News | title=Rocket to get state funeral | date=May 28, 2000}}</ref> This process was repeated for fellow ] legend ] in December 2014.


For municipalities, civic funerals maybe offered to prominent current or former politicians who have died. Municipalities may offer civic funerals to prominent deceased current or former politicians.


==North Korea== ==North Korea==
In ], the body of the late leader ] was displayed in a glass coffin surrounded with red flowers at the ] in ] prior to his funeral which began and ended at the palace. An honor guard armed with an AK-47 was present. Kim Jong-il's father ], the founding president, is on display elsewhere in the palace.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kim's body on show in North Korea amid mass mourning|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/12403169/kim-s-body-on-show-in-n-korea-amid-mass-mourning/|work=AFP|publisher=The West Australian|accessdate=3 January 2012|authorlink=Kim's body on show in North Korea amid mass mourning|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/64P6ngzMi|archivedate=1/2/2012}}</ref> In ], the body of the late leader ] was displayed in a glass coffin surrounded with red flowers at the ] in ] prior to his funeral, which began and ended at the palace. An honor guard armed with an AK-47 was present. Kim Jong-il's father ], the founding president, is on display elsewhere in the palace.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kim's body on show in North Korea amid mass mourning|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/12403169/kim-s-body-on-show-in-n-korea-amid-mass-mourning/|work=AFP|publisher=The West Australian|accessdate=3 January 2012|authorlink=Kim's body on show in North Korea amid mass mourning|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/64P6ngzMi|archivedate=1/2/2012}}</ref>


==Russia== ==Russia==
{{refimprove section|date=January 2013}} {{refimprove section|date=January 2013}}
In ], during the time of the ] (1917–1991), the ]s of the most senior political and military leaders such as ], ], ], ] and ] all followed the same basic outline. They took place in Moscow, began with a public lying in state of the deceased in the ] and ended with an interment at the ]. In ], during the time of the ] (1917–1991), the ]s of the most senior political and military leaders, such as ], ], ], ] and ] all followed the same basic outline. They took place in Moscow, beginning with a public lying in state of the deceased in the ], and ending with an interment at ].


For the lying in state at the ], the coffin would be placed on display in the Column Hall, which would be decorated by flowers, numerous ] and other ]. The mourners, which usually would be brought in by the thousands, shuffled up a marble staircase beneath chandeliers draped in black gauze. On the stage at the left side of the Column Hall a full orchestra in black tailcoats would play classical music. The deceased's ] body, dressed in a black suit, white shirt and a tie, would be displayed in an open coffin on a ] banked with carnations, red roses and tulips, facing the long queue of mourners. A small ] would be in attendance in the background. At the right side of the hall there would be placed seats for guests of honour, with the front row reserved for the dead leader's family. For the lying in state at the ], the coffin would be placed on display in the Column Hall, which would be decorated by flowers, numerous ] and other ]. The mourners, which usually would be brought in by the thousands, shuffled up a marble staircase beneath chandeliers draped in black gauze. On the stage at the left side of the Column Hall, a full orchestra in black tailcoats played classical music. The deceased's ] body, dressed in a black suit, white shirt and a tie, was displayed in an open coffin on a ] banked with carnations, red roses and tulips, facing the queue of mourners. A small ] would be in attendance in the background. At the right side of the hall, seats were placed for guests of honour, with the front row reserved for the dead leader's family.


On the day of the funeral, a military funeral parade would take place during which the coffin would be conveyed from the House of the Unions to the Red Square where burial would take place. Lenin and Stalin were placed inside the ] while Brezhnev, Andropov and Chernenko were interred in individual graves in the ] along the ]. On the day of the funeral, a military funeral parade would take place during which the coffin would be conveyed from the House of the Unions to Red Square where burial would take place. Lenin and Stalin were placed inside the ], while Brezhnev, Andropov, and Chernenko were interred in individual graves in the ].


==Singapore== ==Singapore==
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Vigil guards were stationed at the public lying in state of ] in May 2010,<ref>{{cite news|title=Of state funerals and state-assisted funerals|url=http://publicopinion.sg/242/of-state-funerals-and-state-assisted-funerals|agency=Public Opinion}}</ref> ] in March 2015 <ref>{{cite news|title=Vigil guard, highest form of respect, accorded to Lee Kuan Yew during lying in state|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/vigil-guard-highest-form/1739864.html|agency=Channel News Asia}}</ref> as well as ] in August 2016. Vigil guards were stationed at the public lying in state of ] in May 2010,<ref>{{cite news|title=Of state funerals and state-assisted funerals|url=http://publicopinion.sg/242/of-state-funerals-and-state-assisted-funerals|agency=Public Opinion}}</ref> ] in March 2015 <ref>{{cite news|title=Vigil guard, highest form of respect, accorded to Lee Kuan Yew during lying in state|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/vigil-guard-highest-form/1739864.html|agency=Channel News Asia}}</ref> as well as ] in August 2016.
<ref>{{cite news|title=Vigil guards to be mounted for S R Nathan's Lying-in-State|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/vigil-guards-to-be/3070006.html|agency=Channel News Asia}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|title=Vigil guards to be mounted for S R Nathan's Lying-in-State|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/vigil-guards-to-be/3070006.html|agency=Channel News Asia}}</ref>

⚫ ==South Africa==
⚫ ] was the first democratically elected president to lie in state in ].{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} The event took place at the ], the same site where he was inaugurated as the ] on May 10, 1994. The body of Mandela was lying in State for three days, starting on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 and ending Friday, December 13. The body was viewed by thousands of South Africans before it was airlifted to ] in the Eastern Cape where Mandela was buried on December 15, 2013.


==United Kingdom== ==United Kingdom==
{{see also|Vigil of the Princes}} {{see also|Vigil of the Princes}}


In ] funerals in the ], the lying-in-state takes place in ]. The coffin is placed on a ] and is guarded, around the clock, by detachments each of four men from the following units: In ] funerals in the ], the lying-in-state takes place in ]. The coffin is placed on a ] and is guarded, around the clock, by detachments, each of four men, from the following units:
* ] * ]
** ] ** ]
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** ] ** ]


Each unit mans the guard for a total of six hours, with each detachment standing post for twenty minutes. The four men stand at each corner with heads bowed and weapons inverted and their backs are turned towards the coffin. Each unit mans the guard for a total of six hours, with each detachment standing post for twenty minutes. The four men stand at each corner with heads bowed and weapons inverted; their backs are turned towards the coffin.


On two occasions, the ] has been mounted by four male members of the ]. At the lying in state of ] in 1936, the guard was mounted by his four sons ], the ], the ] and the ]. For ]'s lying-in-state in 2002, the guard was mounted by her four grandsons the ], the ], the ] and ].<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/clips/ram-newsworld/qmum_vigil020408.ram {{webarchive |url=http://www.webcitation.org/5QjUz5p50?url=http://www.cbc.ca/clips/ram-newsworld/qmum_vigil020408.ram |date=July 31, 2007 }}</ref> On two occasions, the ] has been mounted by four male members of the ]. At the lying in state of ] in 1936, the guard was mounted by his four sons ], the ], the ] and the ]. For ]'s lying-in-state in 2002, the guard was mounted by her four grandsons, the ], the ], the ], and ].<ref> {{webarchive |url=http://www.webcitation.org/5QjUz5p50?url=http://www.cbc.ca/clips/ram-newsworld/qmum_vigil020408.ram |date=July 31, 2007 }}</ref>


==United States== ==United States==
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| image1 = ThaddeusStevensLyingInState.png | image1 = ThaddeusStevensLyingInState.png
| alt1 = | alt1 =
| caption1 = ] lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on August 13, 1868. A statue of ] situated behind Steven's casket was credited to "Henry J. Ellicott". | caption1 = Representative ] lying in state in the Capitol rotunda on August 13, 1868. A statue of President ] situated behind Steven's casket was credited to Henry J. Ellicott.
| image2 = Pershing at casket of Unknown Soldier.jpg | image2 = Pershing at casket of Unknown Soldier.jpg
| alt2 = | alt2 =
| caption2 = ] saluting the ] of ] who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on November 9, 1921. | caption2 = ] saluting the ] of ], who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on November 9, 1921.
| image3 = JFK casket in Capitol rotunda, 1963.png | image3 = JFK casket in Capitol rotunda, 1963.png
| alt3 = | alt3 =
| caption3 = ] and members of Congress honor ] who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on November 24, 1963. | caption3 = ] and members of Congress honor President ], who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on November 24, 1963.
| image4 = Lyndon Johnson Funeral.jpg | image4 = Lyndon Johnson Funeral.jpg
| alt4 = | alt4 =
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| image5 = Ronald Reagan lies in state June 10.jpg | image5 = Ronald Reagan lies in state June 10.jpg
| alt5 = | alt5 =
| caption5 = The U.S. Joint Service Color Guard and members of Congress honor ] who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on June 10, 2004. | caption5 = The U.S. Joint Service Color Guard and members of Congress honor President ], who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on June 10, 2004.
| image6 = Ford state funeral.jpg | image6 = Ford state funeral.jpg
| alt6 = | alt6 =
| caption6 = ] and members of Congress honor ] who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on December 30, 2006. | caption6 = ] and members of Congress honor President ], who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on December 30, 2006.
}} }}
For most federal officeholders, lying in state is the rare honor granted by the ] to a deceased official wherein his or her remains are placed in the ] of the ] in ], for public viewing. The casket is guarded by members of the ]. By regulation and custom, only ], military commanders, and ] are granted the honor of lying in state. Except for Presidents and former Presidents, the honor is not automatic. Not all those entitled to the honor accept it, however. The first leader to receive this honor was former ] ] when he died in 1852. Since then, the honor has been extended to thirty-one people, including eleven Presidents. Lying in state is the rare honor granted by the ] to a deceased official whereby his or her remains are placed in the ] of the ] in ], for public viewing. The casket is guarded by members of the ]. By regulation and custom, only ], military commanders, and ] are granted the honor of lying in state. Except for Presidents and former Presidents, the honor is not automatic. Not all those entitled to the honor have it accepted by their survivors. The first leader to receive this honor was ], former ], when he died in 1852. Since then, the honor has been extended to thirty-one people, including eleven Presidents.


The process of lying in state at the Capitol is as follows. The ] or casket is usually placed on a ], usually the ], so named as it was constructed upon the death of ], from when he lay in state following ] in 1865. The casket is guarded at each of its corners by servicemen from each of the branches of the armed forces for its duration at the Capitol. In contrast to the practice in the ] and other countries of the ], guards at the Capitol face the casket, hold their rifles with their right hand, and keep the rifle butt resting on the floor. After the viewing and ceremony at the Capitol, the remains are taken to the burial location. The process of lying in state at the Capitol is as follows. The ] or casket is usually placed on a ], usually the ], so named as it was constructed for lying in state upon the death of ], after his ] in 1865. The casket is guarded at each of its corners by servicemen from each of the branches of the armed forces. In contrast to the practice in the ] and other countries of the ], guards at the Capitol face the casket, hold their rifles with their right hand, and keep the rifle butt resting on the floor. After the viewing and ceremony at the Capitol, the remains are taken to the burial location.


Those who have lain in state are as follows:<ref>, US Architect of the Capitol.</ref><ref>, U.S. Senate Historical Office from the Architect of the Capitol.</ref> Those who have lain in state are as follows:<ref>, US Architect of the Capitol.</ref><ref>, U.S. Senate Historical Office from the Architect of the Capitol.</ref>


* 1852 – ], long-serving Senator and Representative, Secretary of State, Speaker of the House, and presidential candidate * 1852 – ], long-serving Senator and Representative, Secretary of State, Speaker of the House, and presidential candidate
* 1865 – President ], assassinated while in office * 1865 – President ], assassinated in office
* 1868 – ], Representative from Pennsylvania * 1868 – ], Representative from Pennsylvania
* 1874 – ], Senator from Massachusetts * 1874 – ], Senator from Massachusetts
* 1875 – Vice President ], served under ], died in office * 1875 – Vice President ], served under ], died in office
* 1881 – President ], assassinated while in office * 1881 – President ], assassinated in office
* 1886 – ], Senator from Illinois * 1886 – ], Senator from Illinois
* 1901 – President ], assassinated while in office * 1901 – President ], assassinated while in office
* 1909 – ] – although he died in 1825, he was ]red, lay in state before reinterment at Arlington National Cemetery * 1909 – ] – although he died in 1825, his remains were ]red; he was honored by lying in state before reinterment at ]
* 1917 – Admiral ], ] * 1917 – Admiral ], ]
* 1921 – ] * 1921 – ]
* 1923 – President ], died in office * 1923 – President ], died in office
* 1930 – President ], President 1909–13, also ] 1921–30 * 1930 – President ], President 1909–13, also ] 1921–30
* 1948 – ], ] * 1948 – ], ] during World War II and after
* 1953 – ], U.S. Senator and Majority Leader * 1953 – ], U.S. Senator and Majority Leader
* 1958 – ] * 1958 – ]
* 1963 – President ], ] while in office * 1963 – President ], ] in office
* 1964 – General ], General of the Army * 1964 – General ], General of the Army
* 1964 – President ], President 1929–33 * 1964 – President ], serving 1929–33
* 1969 – President ], President 1953–1961, ] during ] * 1969 – President ], President 1953–1961, ] during ]
* 1969 – ], Illinois Senator, Senate Minority Leader 1959–1969 * 1969 – ], Illinois Senator, Senate Minority Leader 1959–1969
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* 2012 – ], ], Senator from Hawaii, and recipient of the ] * 2012 – ], ], Senator from Hawaii, and recipient of the ]


The United States Congress has created a similar—though not identical—privilege for distinguished Americans who do not qualify for a lying in state designation. The process of lying in honor is very similar to that of lying in state with the exception that the honor guard in the Rotunda is provided by the Capitol Police or another suitable source. The United States Congress has created a similar—though not identical—privilege for distinguished Americans who do not qualify for a lying in state designation. In the process of "lying in honor," the honor guard in the Rotunda is provided by the Capitol Police or another suitable source.


Those who have lain in honor are as follows: Those who have lain in honor are as follows:


* 1998 – ] Officer ] and Detective ] * 1998 – ] Officer ] and Detective ], killed on duty
* 2005 – Civil Rights Activist ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.democracynow.org/2005/10/31/civil_rights_pioneer_rosa_parks_lies |title=Civil Rights Pioneer Rosa Parks Lies in Honor in Capitol Rotunda |publisher=Democracy Now! |date= |accessdate=2013-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aoc.gov/cc/capitol/lain_in_state.cfm |title=Lying in State &#124; Architect of the Capitol &#124; United States Capitol |publisher=Aoc.gov |date= |accessdate=2013-12-05}}</ref> * 2005 – ], Civil Rights Activist <ref name="parks">{{cite web|url=http://www.democracynow.org/2005/10/31/civil_rights_pioneer_rosa_parks_lies |title=Civil Rights Pioneer Rosa Parks Lies in Honor in Capitol Rotunda |publisher=Democracy Now! |date= |accessdate=2013-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aoc.gov/cc/capitol/lain_in_state.cfm |title=Lying in State &#124; Architect of the Capitol &#124; United States Capitol |publisher=Aoc.gov |date= |accessdate=2013-12-05}}</ref>

In 1998, Russell Eugene Weston Jr. ] and shot and killed Chestnut and Gibson. In response, Congress provided for their remains to lie in honor in the Rotunda. Chestnut was the first ] to lie in honor. In 2005, upon the death of civil rights activist ], Congress permitted her remains to lie in honor at the Rotunda as well; Parks became the second African-American and the first woman to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda. In 1998, ] while defending the Capitol against Russell Eugene Weston Jr. Congress approved their remains to lie in honor in the Rotunda. Chestnut was the first ] to lie in honor. In 2005, upon the death of civil rights activist ], Congress authorized her remains to lie in honor at the Rotunda; Parks was the second African American and the first woman to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda.<ref name="parks"/>


]s lie in repose in the Great Hall of the ]. Justices who have been awarded this honor include: ]s "lie in repose" in the Great Hall of the ]. Justices who have been awarded this honor include:
* 1974 – Chief Justice ] * 1974 – Chief Justice ]
* 1993 – Justice ] * 1993 – Justice ]
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]'s body lying in state.]] ]'s body lying in state.]]


It is customary for a deceased ] to lie in state in the chapel of the ] and then in ] between the holding of a ] and a ].{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} The ] was an example of this custom. A deceased ] customarily lies in state in the chapel of the ] and then in ], between the holding of a ] and a ].{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} The ] was an example of this custom.


==Coptic Patriarchate== ==Coptic Patriarchate==
The ] has a tradition of mummifying the deceased pope and placing his body on his throne to enable the church followers to have a farewell look at him for a short period of time. The ] has a tradition of mummifying the deceased pope and placing his body on his throne to enable church followers to have a farewell look at him for a short period of time.
This tradition is one of the ways ancient Egyptian rituals survived in the Egyptian church. This tradition is one of the ways that ancient Egyptian rituals have survived in the Egyptian church.
<ref>, Coptic Church Review, Volume 9, Number 4</ref> <ref>, ''Coptic Church Review,'' Volume 9, Number 4</ref>


==Other notable funerals== ==Other notable funerals==

Revision as of 20:01, 15 December 2016

For the band, see Lying in States.
Philip IV of France lying in state
Mahatma Gandhi lying in state

Lying in state is the tradition in which the body of a dead official is placed in a state building, either outside or inside a coffin, to allow the public to pay their respects. It traditionally takes place in the principal government building of a country, state, or city. While the practice differs among countries, a viewing in a location other than the principal government building may be referred to as lying in repose.

Canada

In Canada, official lying in state is a part of a state funeral, an honor generally reserved for former Governors General and former Prime Ministers. It is held in the Centre Block of Parliament Hill, in the national capital, Ottawa. Ex-governors general lie in state in the Senate Chamber, while former prime ministers lie in the Hall of Honour. During the period of lying in state, the coffins are flanked at each corner by a Guard of Honour, made up of four members drawn from the Canadian Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as members of the Governor General's Foot Guards for former governors general, and guards from the parliamentary security forces for former prime ministers. Guards stand at each corner with heads bowed and weapons inverted (resting on Arms reversed) with their backs turned towards the casket.

Provinces may also mount state funerals, and have a lying in state for a distinguished former resident. For instance, Maurice Richard, nationally known hockey player, was given a state funeral by the province of Quebec when he died in 2000; his coffin lay in state at the Molson Centre. This process was repeated for fellow Canadiens legend Jean Béliveau in December 2014.

Municipalities may offer civic funerals to prominent deceased current or former politicians.

North Korea

In North Korea, the body of the late leader Kim Jong-il was displayed in a glass coffin surrounded with red flowers at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang prior to his funeral, which began and ended at the palace. An honor guard armed with an AK-47 was present. Kim Jong-il's father Kim Il-Sung, the founding president, is on display elsewhere in the palace.

Russia

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In Russia, during the time of the Soviet Union (1917–1991), the state funerals of the most senior political and military leaders, such as Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov and Konstantin Chernenko all followed the same basic outline. They took place in Moscow, beginning with a public lying in state of the deceased in the House of the Unions, and ending with an interment at Red Square.

For the lying in state at the House of the Unions, the coffin would be placed on display in the Column Hall, which would be decorated by flowers, numerous red flags and other communist symbols. The mourners, which usually would be brought in by the thousands, shuffled up a marble staircase beneath chandeliers draped in black gauze. On the stage at the left side of the Column Hall, a full orchestra in black tailcoats played classical music. The deceased's embalmed body, dressed in a black suit, white shirt and a tie, was displayed in an open coffin on a catafalque banked with carnations, red roses and tulips, facing the queue of mourners. A small guard of honour would be in attendance in the background. At the right side of the hall, seats were placed for guests of honour, with the front row reserved for the dead leader's family.

On the day of the funeral, a military funeral parade would take place during which the coffin would be conveyed from the House of the Unions to Red Square where burial would take place. Lenin and Stalin were placed inside the Lenin Mausoleum, while Brezhnev, Andropov, and Chernenko were interred in individual graves in the Kremlin Wall Necropolis.

Singapore

At state funerals in Singapore, the national flag is put on the coffin. The vigil guard may be deployed during the public lying in state of the deceased person at Parliament House. The deployment of the vigil guard is the highest form of respect accorded by the nation to the deceased. Similar to British traditions, the vigil guard is composed of groups of five commissioned officers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Singapore Police Force (SPF) who stand guard around the clock in shifts of 30 minutes. One of the five officers stands facing outward at each of the four corners of the casket, while the fifth and most senior one stands in front and faces inward. Their heads are bowed and their ceremonial swords are inverted.

Vigil guards were stationed at the public lying in state of Goh Keng Swee in May 2010, Lee Kuan Yew in March 2015 as well as S R Nathan in August 2016.

South Africa

Nelson Mandela was the first democratically elected president to lie in state in South Africa. The event took place at the Union Buildings, the same site where he was inaugurated as the President of South Africa on May 10, 1994. The body of Mandela was lying in State for three days, starting on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 and ending Friday, December 13. The body was viewed by thousands of South Africans before it was airlifted to Qunu in the Eastern Cape where Mandela was buried on December 15, 2013.

United Kingdom

See also: Vigil of the Princes

In state and ceremonial funerals in the United Kingdom, the lying-in-state takes place in Westminster Hall. The coffin is placed on a catafalque and is guarded, around the clock, by detachments, each of four men, from the following units:

Each unit mans the guard for a total of six hours, with each detachment standing post for twenty minutes. The four men stand at each corner with heads bowed and weapons inverted; their backs are turned towards the coffin.

On two occasions, the guard has been mounted by four male members of the Royal Family. At the lying in state of King George V in 1936, the guard was mounted by his four sons King Edward VIII, the Duke of York, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent. For Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's lying-in-state in 2002, the guard was mounted by her four grandsons, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, and Viscount Linley.

United States

See also: State funerals in the United States Representative Thaddeus Stevens lying in state in the Capitol rotunda on August 13, 1868. A statue of President Abraham Lincoln situated behind Steven's casket was credited to Henry J. Ellicott.John J. Pershing saluting the Unknown Soldier of World War I, who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on November 9, 1921.Lyndon B. Johnson and members of Congress honor President John F. Kennedy, who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on November 24, 1963.Richard Nixon and members of Congress honor Lyndon B. Johnson who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on January 24, 1973.The U.S. Joint Service Color Guard and members of Congress honor President Ronald Reagan, who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on June 10, 2004.Dick Cheney and members of Congress honor President Gerald Ford, who lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on December 30, 2006.

Lying in state is the rare honor granted by the United States to a deceased official whereby his or her remains are placed in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., for public viewing. The casket is guarded by members of the armed forces. By regulation and custom, only Presidents, military commanders, and members of Congress are granted the honor of lying in state. Except for Presidents and former Presidents, the honor is not automatic. Not all those entitled to the honor have it accepted by their survivors. The first leader to receive this honor was Henry Clay, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, when he died in 1852. Since then, the honor has been extended to thirty-one people, including eleven Presidents.

The process of lying in state at the Capitol is as follows. The coffin or casket is usually placed on a catafalque, usually the Lincoln catafalque, so named as it was constructed for lying in state upon the death of Abraham Lincoln, after his assassination in 1865. The casket is guarded at each of its corners by servicemen from each of the branches of the armed forces. In contrast to the practice in the United Kingdom and other countries of the Commonwealth, guards at the Capitol face the casket, hold their rifles with their right hand, and keep the rifle butt resting on the floor. After the viewing and ceremony at the Capitol, the remains are taken to the burial location.

Those who have lain in state are as follows:

The United States Congress has created a similar—though not identical—privilege for distinguished Americans who do not qualify for a lying in state designation. In the process of "lying in honor," the honor guard in the Rotunda is provided by the Capitol Police or another suitable source.

Those who have lain in honor are as follows:

In 1998, Chestnut and Gibson were killed while defending the Capitol against Russell Eugene Weston Jr. Congress approved their remains to lie in honor in the Rotunda. Chestnut was the first African American to lie in honor. In 2005, upon the death of civil rights activist Rosa Parks, Congress authorized her remains to lie in honor at the Rotunda; Parks was the second African American and the first woman to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda.

Supreme Court Justices "lie in repose" in the Great Hall of the United States Supreme Court Building. Justices who have been awarded this honor include:

Vatican City

Pope John Paul II's body lying in state.

A deceased pope customarily lies in state in the chapel of the Apostolic Palace and then in St. Peter's Basilica, between the holding of a Mass of Visitation and a Mass of Requiem. The funeral of Pope John Paul II was an example of this custom.

Coptic Patriarchate

The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria has a tradition of mummifying the deceased pope and placing his body on his throne to enable church followers to have a farewell look at him for a short period of time. This tradition is one of the ways that ancient Egyptian rituals have survived in the Egyptian church.

Other notable funerals

See also

References

  1. Archived June 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Rocket to get state funeral". CBC News. May 28, 2000.
  3. "Kim's body on show in North Korea amid mass mourning". AFP. The West Australian. Archived from the original on 1/2/2012. Retrieved 3 January 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help)
  4. Cheong, Danson (4 April 2015). "'An honour to stand vigil for Mr Lee Kuan Yew'". The Straits Times. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  5. "Of state funerals and state-assisted funerals". Public Opinion.
  6. "Vigil guard, highest form of respect, accorded to Lee Kuan Yew during lying in state". Channel News Asia.
  7. "Vigil guards to be mounted for S R Nathan's Lying-in-State". Channel News Asia.
  8. Archived July 31, 2007, at WebCite
  9. Those Who Have Lain In State or In Honor in the Capitol Rotunda, US Architect of the Capitol.
  10. Memorial or Funeral Services in the Capitol Rotunda (PDF), U.S. Senate Historical Office from the Architect of the Capitol.
  11. ^ "Civil Rights Pioneer Rosa Parks Lies in Honor in Capitol Rotunda". Democracy Now!. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  12. "Lying in State | Architect of the Capitol | United States Capitol". Aoc.gov. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  13. Boulos Ayad Ayad, Phd: "Ancient Egyptian Civilization and the Coptic Church", Coptic Church Review, Volume 9, Number 4
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