State Funeral
Dec 28, 2006 8:09:53 GMT -6
Post by Moderator on Dec 28, 2006 8:09:53 GMT -6
Tradition and protocol greatly influence a funeral for a former head of state. The exact sequence of events is determined by family desires. Much of the funeral remains open to the public, which shares in the loss of a national leader.
The following events are included in a State Funeral ...
By law, former presidents are afforded a state funeral. Once the president officially announces the demise of a former commander-in-chief, he then joins the nation in offering condolences. The Secretary of Defense is then directed to conduct the funeral on behalf of the nation. In turn, he designates the Secretary of the Army, who oversees the nation's senior military service, to be his representative. The Secretary of the Army further designates the commanding general for the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW), to exercise that responsibility. The MDW commander is responsible for making all ceremonial arrangements for the funeral in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere in the continental United States.
Each branch of the Armed Forces provides personnel and support under the supervision of the Military District of Washington. Support includes an Armed Forces Honor Guard.
Definitions of Special Terms
Repose - The remains lie in one or more of the selected places for public viewing, such as a church or presidential library. This includes appropriate arrival and departure ceremonies. Presidents who die in office lie in repose in the East Room of the White House. Former presidents lie in repose in their home state before traveling to Washington, DC.
Lying in State - The remains lie overnight in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. This includes appropriate arrival and departure ceremonies. Upon the casket's arrival at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol a short service, the official State Funeral, is given with members of Congress present.
Main Funeral Procession - Begins at the Capitol and moves west along Constitution Avenue.
Casket Transfer - At 16th Street and Constitution Avenue, the remains are transferred from a caisson to a hearse for movement to Washington National Cathedral.
Composition of Main Funeral Procession (in order of march):
As a past Commander-In-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, former presidents are afforded specific military honors. In accordance with regulation and tradition, these honors include:
Taps - A bugle call sounded over the grave of a service member that dates back to the Civil War.
Firing Three Volleys Over A Grave - This practice has its origin in the old custom of halting the fighting to remove the dead from the battlefield. Once the deceased troops were removed, three rifle volleys were fired as a signal that the battle could resume. A military rifle party traditionally fires the volleys. The fact that the firing party consists of seven service members firing three volleys does NOT constitute a 21-gun salute.[/ul]
The following events are included in a State Funeral ...
By law, former presidents are afforded a state funeral. Once the president officially announces the demise of a former commander-in-chief, he then joins the nation in offering condolences. The Secretary of Defense is then directed to conduct the funeral on behalf of the nation. In turn, he designates the Secretary of the Army, who oversees the nation's senior military service, to be his representative. The Secretary of the Army further designates the commanding general for the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW), to exercise that responsibility. The MDW commander is responsible for making all ceremonial arrangements for the funeral in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere in the continental United States.
Each branch of the Armed Forces provides personnel and support under the supervision of the Military District of Washington. Support includes an Armed Forces Honor Guard.
Definitions of Special Terms
Repose - The remains lie in one or more of the selected places for public viewing, such as a church or presidential library. This includes appropriate arrival and departure ceremonies. Presidents who die in office lie in repose in the East Room of the White House. Former presidents lie in repose in their home state before traveling to Washington, DC.
Lying in State - The remains lie overnight in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. This includes appropriate arrival and departure ceremonies. Upon the casket's arrival at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol a short service, the official State Funeral, is given with members of Congress present.
Main Funeral Procession - Begins at the Capitol and moves west along Constitution Avenue.
Casket Transfer - At 16th Street and Constitution Avenue, the remains are transferred from a caisson to a hearse for movement to Washington National Cathedral.
Composition of Main Funeral Procession (in order of march):
As a past Commander-In-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, former presidents are afforded specific military honors. In accordance with regulation and tradition, these honors include:
Taps - A bugle call sounded over the grave of a service member that dates back to the Civil War.
Firing Three Volleys Over A Grave - This practice has its origin in the old custom of halting the fighting to remove the dead from the battlefield. Once the deceased troops were removed, three rifle volleys were fired as a signal that the battle could resume. A military rifle party traditionally fires the volleys. The fact that the firing party consists of seven service members firing three volleys does NOT constitute a 21-gun salute.[/ul]