STATE FUNERALS IN THE U.S.

A state funeral is a national tribute which is traditionally reserved for a head of state. The United States conducts state funerals on behalf of all persons who hold, or have held, the office of president as well as a president-elect and other persons designated by the president.

A state funeral is a 7 to 10 day event and consists of three stages. Stage I includes ceremonies within the state in which the president, former president, or president-elect was in residence. Stage II includes ceremonies within Washington, DC, and Stage III includes ceremonies in the state in which the authorized individual has chosen to be interred.

The ceremonies occurring in the national capital region may involve Armed Forces honor guards, elite military bands, and other service academies, National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve units. The ceremonies occurring outside the national capital region may include Washington-based honor guards and local service units to include active duty, National Guard and Reserve for logistical, military band or salute guns support.

 

AUTHORITY

Upon notification of a former president’s death to the White House, the president of the United States officially announces the death of a former president by proclamation. He then directs the Department of Defense to conduct a state funeral on behalf of the nation.

The Secretary of Defense, in turn, designates the U.S. Northern Command commander as the combatant commander responsible for the conduct of the funeral.

U.S. NORTHCOM then activates JTF-NCR as Joint Task Force National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) and designates the commanding general of JTF-NCR as the supported operational commander.

The JTF-NCR commander is responsible for coordinating and conducting all of the ceremonies to honor a former president.

JTF-NCR is the Washington, D.C., element of U.S. Northern Command and is headquartered at Fort Lesley J. McNair. Elements that support the JTF-NCR include: the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, Naval District Washington, Marine Corps Forces National Capital Region, Air Force District of Washington, and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Baltimore.

THE EVOLUTION OF STATE FUNERALS
 

Funeral services of great magnificence evolved as customs (from what is known about early Christian mourning) in the 6th century. To this day, no religious ceremonies are conducted with more pomp than those intended to commemorate the departed. The funerals of service members, more than any other ceremony, have followed an old tradition as the living honor the brave dead.

The first general mourning proclaimed in America was on the death of Benjamin Franklin in 1791 and the next on the death of President George Washington in 1799. The deep and widespread grief occasioned by the death of the first president assembled a great number of local people for the purpose of paying him a last tribute of respect. On Wednesday, 18 Dec. 1799, attended by military honors and the simplest but grandest ceremonies of religion, his body was placed in the family vault at Mount Vernon, Virginia. Due to slow communications and travel of the time period, community services across the country commemorating his life continued several weeks after his passing as word of his death spread.

Another national observance early in the country’s history commemorated the deaths of Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson on July 4, 1826. Although known as old rivals, both men were heroes and respected leaders in these early years.

The national funeral marking the first time the nation mourned as one occurred April 19, 1865, in observance of President Abraham Lincoln’s death. Due to increased communications technology, word spread across the country by telegraph and train allowing the country to mourn the loss of its president together.

Several military traditions employed today have been brought forward from the past:

(1) Today's customary three volleys fired over a grave probably originated as far back as the Roman Empire. The Roman funeral rite of casting dirt three times on the coffin constituted the "burial." It was customary among the Romans to call the dead three times by name, which ended the funeral ceremony, after which the friends and relatives of the deceased pronounced the word "vale" (farewell) three times as they departed from the tomb. In more recent history, three musket volleys were fired to announce that the burying of the dead was completed, and the burial party was ready for battle again.

(2) The custom of using a caisson to carry a casket most likely had its origins in the 1800s when horse-drawn caissons that pulled artillery pieces also doubled as a conveyance to clear fallen soldiers from the battlefield.

(3) In the mid to late 1800s a funeral procession of a mounted officer or enlisted man was accompanied by a riderless horse in mourning caparison followed by a hearse. It was also a custom to have the boots of the deceased thrown over the saddle with heels to the front signifying that his march was ended.

Information gathered from the manual Drill and Ceremonies, Dec. 86, HQ DA, FM 22-5, updated using the manual Drill and Ceremonies, July 03, HQ DA, FM 3-21.5.

MILITARY HONORS FOR FORMER PRESIDENTS

Former presidents are afforded specific military honors according to Department of the Army Pamphlet 1-1. Although the following honors are authorized, the family may choose to decline some or all of these specific entitlements.

Military escort for the immediate family - The commanding general for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) serves as the military escort for the former president's next of kin from the time of the official announcement of the death until burial.

Guard of Honor - An armed forces element that provides a ceremonial presence when the former president lies in repose or state. Guard of honor members are assigned to ceremonial units of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard within the National Capital Region.

Armed Forces body bearers - A nine-person team that carries the casket.

Military clergy - A military chaplain from one of the services assigned to assist the former president's immediate family and escort the family clergy.

Flag-draped casket – An honor afforded to all military veterans, including the president as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Military flyover – Flyovers with missing man formation are provided at funeral or memorial services in honor of rated active-duty aviation personnel, and dignitaries of the Armed Forces or federal government. During a state funeral, the flyover consists of 21 tactical fighter aircraft, in formation as a single lead aircraft followed by 5 flights of four aircraft each. The number three aircraft in the final flight executes the missing man maneuver.

This honor is provided as the caisson passes through the intersection of Constitution Avenue and 4th Street, N.W. en route to the U.S. Capitol, or at interment if there is no formal procession in Washington, D.C.

Caisson – First used by the military to carry ammunition, the caisson is now used in a ceremonial capacity during formal military funeral processions. The Caisson Platoon of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) transports the remains during the main funeral procession in Washington, D.C.

The caisson consists of six horses of the same color, three riders, and a section chief mounted on a separate horse. The caisson is a converted transport wagon for a 75mm cannon and is also used to honor fallen comrades during full-honor funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.

Caparisoned horse – A riderless horse that follows the caisson carrying the casket of any Army or Marine Corps officer in the rank of colonel or above, and presidents as commanders-in-chief. A pair of boots are reversed in the stirrups of the empty saddle to symbolize the warrior will never ride again.

21-Gun Salute  - A cannon salute of 21 rounds fired with five-second intervals between rounds.

Firing three volleys over a grave – A volley traditionally fired by a seven-member firing party. This practice originates in the custom of halting battles 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. The fact that the firing party consists of seven service members firing three volleys does not constitute a 21-gun salute.

Military Musical Honors  - The music played at a military funeral to honor the former president during each phase of the funeral. Some traditional selections include:

  • Ruffles and Flourishes - Ruffles are played on drums and flourishes on bugles. They are sounded together, once for each star of the general officer being honored or according to the title or office held. Four ruffles and flourishes are the highest honor and are played for presidents.
  • “Hail to the Chief” - Traditional musical honors played for the president and former presidents of the United States.
  • The National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”
  • “Taps” - A bugle call sounded over the grave of a service member that dates back to the Civil War.

For more information and to download fact sheets on military honors, visit www.jfhq.northcom.mil.

Information gathered from the manual Drill and Ceremonies, July 03, HQ DA, FM 3-21.5.

LYING IN STATE, IN REPOSE, AND IN HONOR

Lying in State
Lying in state occurs when the casket of a member of government (or former member of government) is placed on view in the principal government building of a country or state to allow the public to pay their respects. 

Examples of this would include President Gerald Ford or Senator Daniel Inouye lying in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, or Congressman Paul Gillmor lying in state in the Ohio State Capitol. 

Lying in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol is authorized by Joint Resolution of Congress.
A guard of honor maintains a vigil over the remains throughout the period of time the remains lie in state. Public viewing is generally allowed during the lying in state.

Lying in Repose
Lying in repose occurs when the casket of a member of government (or former member of government) is placed on view in any other building to allow the public to pay their respects. 

Examples would include President Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA in 2004, and President Ford at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Palm Desert, CA, in 2006.

Lying in Honor
The term "lying in honor" encompasses two different scenarios:

  1. When the casket of an individual who is not a member of government is placed on view in the principal government building of a country or state to allow the public to pay their respects.  An example would be Rosa Parks in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
  2. When the casket of a member of government (or former member of government) is placed on view in the U.S. Capitol, but not in the Capitol Rotunda, to allow the public to pay their respects.  Examples include Senator Robert Byrd and Senator Frank Lautenberg lying in honor in the Senate Chamber.

Information gathered from historical documents.

STATE FUNERAL CEREMONIAL TRADITIONS
 

A state funeral is a national tribute which is traditionally reserved for a head of state. The United States conducts state funerals on behalf of all persons who hold, or have held, the office of president as well as a president-elect and other persons designated by the president. Foreign countries also mourn the loss of a former head of state and their participation generates its own protocol.

Military regulations provide guidance for how the United States conducts a state funeral and all involved ceremonies. While military regulation, tradition and protocol influence state funerals, personalized plans are developed to reflect family desires. Typically, family desires determine the number, location and sequence of public ceremonies and observances consistent with military regulations.

For example, in keeping with the wishes of the family, President Nixon's funeral took place over a two-day period from April 26-27, 1994, and included ceremonies in New York and California, but no ceremonies in Washington. President Reagan’s funeral took place over a seven-day period from June 5-11, 2004, and included services and ceremonies in Washington and California. President Ford’s funeral took place over a nine-day period from Dec. 26, 2006, to Jan. 3, 2007, and included services and ceremonies in California, Washington and Michigan.

The following list identifies the customary elements of a state funeral.

NOTE: This does not reflect the schedule for every state funeral. Each presidential family tailors the funeral to their wishes.

  • Formal notification of demise to all branches of government, foreign countries and the public.
  • Repose in home state
  • Movement to Washington, D.C.
  • Repose at the National Cathedral in its Bethlehem Chapel
  • Casket transfer from hearse to horse-drawn caisson at the intersection of 16th Street and Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.
  • Main funeral procession along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.
  • Lying in state at the U.S. Capitol
  • National funeral service in Washington, D.C.
  • Movement to final resting place
  • Private funeral service and interment

Explanation of Special Terms

  •   Repose  - The remains lie in one or more selected places for public viewing (e.g. church, presidential library or museum). This also includes appropriate arrival and departure ceremonies.
  •   Lying in state  - The remains lie in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol allowing the public to pay their respects. Appropriate arrival and departure ceremonies are included.

    NOTE: Lying in state occurs in the U.S. Capitol ONLY.

  • Casket Transfer - At 16th Street and Constitution Avenue, the remains are transferred by Armed Forces body bearers from a hearse to a horse-drawn caisson for movement to the U.S. Capitol to begin or end the main funeral procession.
  • Main Funeral Procession - Moves along Constitution Avenue.
  • Composition of Main Funeral Procession (in order of march):

    Information gathered from Army Pamphlet 1-1 and historical documents.

    • Police escort
    • Military units, including federal service academies, Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, and military bands
    • Cortege – the segment of the main funeral procession in a state funeral that includes, in order of march:
      • Special honor guard
      • Honorary pallbearers
      • National color
      • Clergy
      • Caisson
      • Armed Forces body bearers
      • Presidential color
      • Caparisoned horse
      • Family
PAST STATE FUNERALS

    • George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States

      Date of Birth: June 12, 1924

      Date of Death: Nov. 30, 2018

      National Day of Mourning: Dec. 5, 2018

      Date of Interment: Interment: Dec. 6, 2018
      www.bush41.org

    • Gerald R. Ford, 38th President of the United States

      Date of Birth: July 14, 1913

      Date of Death: Dec. 26, 2006

      National Day of Mourning: Jan. 2, 2007

      Date of Interment: Interment: Jan. 3, 2007
      www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov

    • Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States

      Date of Birth: Feb. 6, 1911

      Date of Death: June 5, 2004

      National Day of Mourning: June 11, 2004

      Date of Interment: June 11, 2004
      www.reaganfoundation.org

    • Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States

      Date of Birth: Jan. 9, 1913

      Date of Death: April 22, 1994

      National Day of Mourning: April 27, 1994

      Date of Interment: April 27, 1994
      www.nixonlibrary.gov

    • Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th President of the United States

      Date of Birth: Aug. 27, 1908

      Date of Death: Jan. 22, 1973

      National Day of Mourning: Jan. 25, 1973

      Date of Interment: Jan. 25, 1973
       www.lbjlibrary.org

    • Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States

      Date of Birth: May 8, 1884

      Date of Death: Dec. 26, 1972

      National Day of Mourning: Dec. 28, 1972

      Date of Interment: Dec. 28, 1972
      www.trumanlibrary.org

    • Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States

      Date of Birth: Oct. 14, 1890

      Date of Death: March 28, 1969

      National Day of Mourning: March 31, 1969

      Date of Interment: March 31, 1969
      www.eisenhower.archives.gov

    • Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States

      Date of Birth: Aug. 10, 1874

      Date of Death: Oct. 20, 1964

      National Day of Mourning: None on record

      Date of Interment: Oct. 25, 1964
       https://hoover.archives.gov

    • John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States

      Date of Birth: May 27, 1917

      Date of Death: Nov. 22, 1963

      National Day of Mourning: Nov. 25, 1963

      Date of Interment: Nov. 25, 1963
      www.jfklibrary.org

    • Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States

      Date of Birth: Jan. 30, 1882

      Date of Death: April 12, 1945

      National Day of Mourning: April 14, 1945

      Date of Interment: April 15, 1945
       www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu