What occurs throughout a presidential funeral and a glance again at previous funerals

A presidential funeral in the US is a rigorously orchestrated occasion, mixing solemn traditions and heartfelt tributes. It spans a number of days and consists of a number of phases, giving the nation time to mourn and honor its former chief. Right here’s an easy-to-follow breakdown of what occurs throughout these historic events:

1. The Preliminary Announcement

When a former president passes away, the sitting president points an official proclamation to announce their demise. Flags are lowered to half-staff throughout the nation for 30 days as an indication of nationwide mourning. The Division of Protection is tasked with organizing a state funeral to honor the late president’s service.

2. Native Ceremonies

Earlier than heading to Washington, D.C., there are normally personal ceremonies within the president’s residence state or metropolis.

• Non-public Service: Shut household and associates collect for a quiet memorial.
• Mendacity in Repose: The president’s physique is positioned at a major location, reminiscent of a presidential library, the place native residents will pay their respects.

3. Washington, D.C. Ceremonies

The capital performs a significant position within the state funeral. Right here’s what occurs:

• Arrival in Washington: The president’s stays are flown to D.C., typically on a particular plane designated for this function.
• Procession By means of the Metropolis: The casket is transported with army honors, typically by a horse-drawn caisson. This symbolic journey displays the nation’s respect.
• Mendacity in State: The casket is positioned within the Capitol Rotunda, the place the general public will pay their respects. A particular platform known as the Lincoln Catafalque, first used for Abraham Lincoln, helps the casket.
• State Funeral Service: A proper ceremony is held, normally on the Washington Nationwide Cathedral, that includes eulogies from notable figures like present and former presidents, hymns, and prayers.

4. The Closing Goodbye and Burial

After the ceremonies in Washington, the president’s stays are returned to their chosen burial website, typically their hometown or a location of non-public significance.

• Non-public Funeral: A smaller, extra intimate service is held for household and shut associates.
• Interment: The president is laid to relaxation, typically with army honors reminiscent of a 21-gun salute or a flyover.

Ceremonial Highlights

All through the method, a number of traditions make these funerals uniquely presidential:

• Navy Honors: Elite honor guards and army bands take part, reflecting the president’s position as commander-in-chief.
• 21-Gun Salute: This conventional army tribute honors the late president’s service.
• Eulogies: Delivered by outstanding leaders, these heartfelt tributes rejoice the president’s life and legacy.

A Time for Nationwide Mourning

All the course of, from the preliminary announcement to the burial, sometimes lasts 7 to 10 days. It permits Individuals to grieve collectively, keep in mind the president’s contributions, and replicate on their affect on the nation.

RELATED: PHOTOS: Ceremonies start for former President Jimmy Carter | 1924-2024

A Take a look at the Final 8 Presidents

Joint providers army honor guards carry the casket of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush to a Union Pacific practice in Spring, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. historical past at age 94, died at his residence

George H.W. Bush (forty first President)

• Died: Nov. 30, 2018
• Funeral: A state funeral spanned a number of days in Texas and Washington, D.C. Bush lay in state on the U.S. Capitol earlier than a service on the Nationwide Cathedral. Attendees included President Trump, First Woman Melania Trump, former presidents, first women, and overseas dignitaries.
• Highlights: His stays had been transported by way of a practice painted in an Air Pressure One colour scheme, reflecting his love of trains.
• Burial Website: George H.W. Bush Presidential Library, Faculty Station, Texas, alongside his spouse, Barbara, and daughter Robin.
• Estimated Price: Roughly $2 million (though some estimates put it a lot larger)

Betty Ford pauses on the flag draped casket of her husband and former US president Gerald R. Ford, as he lies in state within the Rotunda of the US Capitol Constructing in Washington DC, 01 January 2007. Ford died in California on December 26 on the age of 9

Gerald Ford (thirty eighth President)

• Died: Dec. 26, 2006
• Funeral: Ceremonies befell in California, Washington, D.C., and Michigan. Providers included a memorial at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, mendacity in state on the Capitol, and a funeral on the Nationwide Cathedral.
• Highlights: Ford’s physique lay in repose at his presidential museum in Michigan, the place 67,000 folks paid their respects.
• Burial Website: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids, Michigan, alongside his spouse, Betty Ford.
• Estimated Price: $7 million

Former US First Woman Nancy Reagan (C), escorted by Maj. Gen. Galen B. Jackman, watches 09 June, 2004, because the guard honor carries the casket bearing the stays of her husband former US president Ronald Reagan to the presidential airplane for the jour

Ronald Reagan (fortieth President)

• Died: June 5, 2004
• Funeral: Every week-long state funeral included providers in California, Washington, D.C., and a personal burial on the Reagan Library. Reagan lay in repose for 2 days on the library and later in state on the Capitol, the place 100,000 mourners visited.
• Highlights: A sundown burial service marked the return of large-scale presidential state funerals.
• Burial Website: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, California.
• Estimated Price: $400 million (together with in depth safety prices and the affect of a Nationwide Day of Mourning that closed down the inventory market and gave federal workers the day without work of labor).

Flowers for Richard Nixon’s Funeral (Picture by Steve Starr/CORBIS/Corbis by way of Getty Photos)

Richard Nixon (thirty seventh President)

• Died: April 22, 1994
• Funeral: A personal service held on the Nixon Presidential Library in California, attended by world leaders and 5 dwelling presidents. Eulogies had been delivered by President Invoice Clinton, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Senator Bob Dole, California Governor Pete Wilson, and Reverend Billy Graham. Additionally in attendance had been former Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and their wives.
• Highlights: Nixon lay in repose on the library, the place 50,000 folks waited as much as 18 hours to pay their respects.
• Burial Website: Nixon Library, Yorba Linda, California, alongside his spouse, Pat.
• Estimated Price: Roughly $200,000

Honor guard bearing former Pres. Richard Nixon’s flag-draped coffin throughout funeral service (Rev. Billy Graham at far L). (Picture by Diana Walker/Getty Photos)

Lyndon B. Johnson (thirty sixth President)

• Died: Jan. 22, 1973
• Funeral: Providers included ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and Texas. Johnson lay in state on the Capitol and was later buried with army honors on his ranch.
• Highlights: A Texas Nationwide Guard Unit fired a 21-gun salute throughout his burial.
• Burial Website: Johnson Household Cemetery, Stonewall, Texas, alongside Woman Chook Johnson.
• Estimated Price: Possible underneath $500,000

John F. Kennedy (thirty fifth President)

• Died: Nov. 22, 1963
• Funeral: A 3-day occasion following his assassination. Kennedy lay in repose on the White Home, then in state on the Capitol, earlier than a funeral Mass at St. Matthew’s Cathedral. Greater than 250,000 mourners paid their respects whereas he lay in state.
• Highlights: Jacqueline Kennedy lit the everlasting flame at his Arlington gravesite. The funeral was the primary to be televised.
• Burial Website: Arlington Nationwide Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
• Estimated Price: Roughly $15 million (adjusted for inflation)

Funeral of Harry Truman, miscellaneous views of casket because it lies in state of Truman Library. (Picture by UPI Coloration/Bettmann Archive/Getty Photos)

Harry S. Truman (thirty third President)

• Died: Dec. 26, 1972
• Funeral: Truman requested a modest funeral. Providers included a personal memorial on the Truman Library and a public memorial on the Nationwide Cathedral. There was no state funeral for Truman.
• Highlights: His physique handed by the Truman residence, the place Bess Truman watched from a window.
• Burial Website: Truman Library, Independence, Missouri, alongside his spouse, Bess.
• Estimated Price: Possible underneath $100,000

The late President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is laid to relaxation within the rose backyard of his Hyde Park property. Mourners and army officers collect to pay their final respects. | Location: Hyde Park, New York, USA.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (thirty second President)

• Died: April 12, 1945
• Funeral: Providers had been held on the White Home and St. John’s Episcopal Church earlier than his burial at Hyde Park.
• Highlights: Hundreds lined the practice route from Heat Springs, Georgia, to New York. Moreover, a minimum of 500,000 watched as his coffin was carried on a caisson in a army procession from Union Station to the White Home. The ceremonies had been scaled down as a result of WWII.
• Burial Website: Springwood Property, Hyde Park, New York, alongside Eleanor Roosevelt.
• Estimated Price: Unknown (no definitive data might be discovered)

Prices for Future Presidential Funerals

Fashionable presidential funerals have turn into more and more costly as a result of heightened safety and bigger public ceremonies. Estimated prices for future funerals may attain $8–10 million or extra.

Presidents Nonetheless Residing

1. Joe Biden (forty sixth President)
2. Donald Trump (forty fifth President)
3. Barack Obama (forty fourth President)
4. George W. Bush (forty third President)
5. Invoice Clinton (forty second President)

Different Attention-grabbing Details About Presidential Funerals and Burials

James Monroe (fifth President) and John Tyler (tenth President) are each buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. Monroe died on July 4, 1831, and Tyler on Jan. 18, 1862.

William Henry Harrison (ninth President) was the primary president to die in workplace on April 7, 1841.

Zachary Taylor (twelfth President) was the second president to die in workplace, on July 9, 1850. For years, many believed he had been poisoned. In 1991, his physique was exhumed, and checks conclusively confirmed he had not been poisoned.

Abraham Lincoln (sixteenth President) was the primary president to have his physique lie in state on the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Lincoln died on April 15, 1865.

Andrew Johnson (seventeenth President) requested to be wrapped within the American flag when he was buried. Johnson died on July 31, 1875.

Warren G. Harding (twenty ninth President) died unexpectedly whereas on a tour of the western U.S. on Aug. 2, 1923. A short, personal service was held for him in his room on the Palace Lodge in San Francisco earlier than he was transported to Washington, D.C.

William Howard Taft (twenty seventh President) is one in every of solely two presidents buried at Arlington Nationwide Cemetery, the opposite being John F. Kennedy. Taft died on March 8, 1930.

Herbert Hoover (thirty first President) had a “comfortable funeral service”, as requested by his household, reflecting a Quaker method for his closing service in West Department, Iowa. Hoover died on Oct. 22, 1964.

Woodrow Wilson (twenty eighth President) is the one president buried in Washington, D.C. He’s interred on the Nationwide Cathedral. Wilson died on Feb. 3, 1924.