State funeral

A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony held to honour heads of state or other important people of national significance. They usually include much pomp and ceremony.

Canada

In Canada, those entitled to state funerals are current and former Governors General and Prime Ministers of Canada.

Related Topics:
Canada - Governors General - Prime Minister

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The body does arrives on Parliament Hill by hearse rather than by caisson or gun carriage. On arrival, an honour guard meets the hearse and escorts the body into the Hall of Honour for a simple ceremony. The honour guard is drawn from from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for a Prime Minister or from the Governor General's Foot Guards for a Governor General.

Related Topics:
Parliament Hill - Hearse - Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Governor General's Foot Guards

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Lying in state occurs in the Senate Chamber in the case of a Governor General, or in the Hall of Honour for a Prime Minister, and usually lasts for two days. Unlike in the United Kingdom and the United States, public viewing isn't allowed continuously until a certain time. There are designated hours each day of the lying in state. In certain cases, everyone may be allowed access despite the deadline, but only after police officers tour the lines.

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Similar to the United States and the United Kingdom, there are guards at each corner of the casket. The guards are from the RCMP and Canadian Forces. In the case of the Governor General, their foot guards also guard the casket. With prime ministers, the other guards are from Parliamentary security and Senate security.

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As the body is escorted from Parliament Hill to the hearse, a 21-gun salute is fired for Governors General or a 19-gun salute in the case of a Prime Minister, The funeral service is usually held at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa.

Related Topics:
21-gun salute - Christ Church Cathedral

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