State funeral

A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honour people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements of military tradition. Generally, state funerals are held in order to involve the general public in a national day of mourning after the family of the deceased gives consent. A state funeral will often generate mass publicity from both national and global media outlets.

History

State funerals already existed in antiquity. In ancient Athens, for example, fallen soldiers were regularly buried in a public ceremony. In the Roman Empire, a state funeral (funera publica) could be instructed by the senate for the city of Rome, whereas city councils could instruct a communal state funeral.

By country

Czech Republic

Canada

Finland

In Finland, state funerals continue only for Finnish presidents. In exceptional cases, the Finnish Government may grant or finance a funeral for a very long-serving prime minister, speaker of the parliament, and persons of special national importance. This practice has been in force in Finland since 1989.

India

On 17 November 2012, Bal Thackeray was accorded a state funeral in the city of Mumbai. On 10 October 2024, businessman Ratan Tata was given a state funeral in Mumbai. Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was given a State funeral on 28 December 2024.

Italy

In Italy, state funerals are granted by law to the current and former Presidents of the constitutional entities, such as the Presidency, Parliament, the Government, and the Constitutional Court, as well as to Ministers who die while in office. State funerals can also be granted by decree of the Council of Ministers to individuals who provided exceptional service to the country, citizens who brought honor to the nation, or those who died in the line of duty or as victims of terrorism or organized crime.

The official protocol provides for:

• the coffin surrounded by six members in high uniform of either the Carabinieri or the same Armed Forces the departed belonged to
• an honor guard to the coffin at the entrance and the exit of the place in which the ceremony is held
• the presence of one representative of the Government
• an official commemorative oration
• other honors that can be arranged by the Prime Minister

Public mourning, either national or local, is declared following the provisions of the Prime Minister's decrees. The flags are flown at half-mast outside public buildings, while inside they display two black ribbons, with the exceptions provided for military flags when required by military protocol.

If the departed held a public office, the body can lie in state in the building of the office's institution. In other cases, the will of the family, the traditions of the office, or the local customs are followed.

Outside the cases provided for by protocol, for example during natural events that deeply impact the community, solemn funerals can be arranged and the six people who carry the coffins are members of the Civil Protection.

Thailand

United Kingdom

United States

See also

• List of people who have received a state funeral
• Funeral train
• Limbers and caissons
• Lincoln Catafalque
• Lying in repose
• Lying in state
• Military funeral
• Missing man formation
• Riderless horse
• State funerals in Canada
• State funerals in the United States
• Vigil of the Princes
• State Funeral (2019 film)

References

Further reading

• Sandburg, Carl (1936). Abraham Lincoln: The War Years IV. Harcourt, Brace & World.
• Swanson, James (2006). Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0-06-051849-3.

• The traditions of a British state funeral
• Memorializing U.S. Presidents
• Funeral Section of the RCMP Ceremonial and Protocol Guide Archived 2005-10-23 at the Wayback Machine
• "STATE, OFFICIAL, AND SPECIAL MILITARY FUNERALS" by the U.S. Army
• The Last Salute Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine (CMH Pub 90–1) published by the United States Army Center of Military History
• NSW Policy on State Funerals Archived 2018-12-15 at the Wayback Machine
• Commentary on state funeral offer for Australian Kerry Packer
• Royal Funeral of King Tafa'ahau Tupou IV - Royal Palace Office