Lying in state

Lying in state is the tradition in which a coffin is placed on view to allow the public at large to pay their respects to the dead. It traditionally takes place in the principal government building of a country or city during a state funeral.

Ronald Reagan lies in state in the rotunda of the United States Capitol on June 10, 2004.

It is usually practiced in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, North Korea, South Africa, and Russia.

Related pages

• Cremation
• Lying in repose
• State funeral