Are You "Lying in State" or "Lying in Repose"?

Since the passing of two congressmen, we have seen several death notices from funeral homes mentioning three, but vastly different events. We here at the BIN never judge a notice, but felt is was good to reflect on the events and help clear up any confusion, if such issue exist! 

Rep. Elijah Cummings who passed in 2019 and Rep. John Lewis, who passed this year received the high honor of being "laid in state". Rep. Cummings received this honor October 24, 2019 in National Statuary Hall and Rep. Lewis in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, on July 27-28, 2020. 12 US Presidents have "Laid in State". 

"Lying in State or Honor" is a formal honor, which is generally held at the principal government building of the deceased person's country and often accompanied by a guard of honor. A more direct explanation, "As a general rule, you can only lie in state if you’re due a state funeral. And you’re only due a state funeral if you’re the president, the president-elect, an ex-president, or someone specially designated by the president." This is done so people can pay their respects to the departed. When lying in state, five guards of honor, each representing the five branches of the Armed Forces, will periodically rotate and relieve the preceding set of guards of honor who watch over the remains.  If "Lying in Honor" the United States Capitol Police will act as civilian guards of honor. There are no rules, regulation,  or law that governs who may lie in state or honor, however the US House and Senate have a concurrent resolution over the use of the Capital Rotunda. Those who have "Laid in Honor" are U.S. Capitol Police Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, killed on duty in 1998, Rosa Parks, civil rights activist in 2005 and Evangelist Rev. Billy Graham in 2018.

This brings us back to our, local funeral homes who use the above events and "Lying In Repose" interchangeably. When someone lies in repose, their casket, open or not,  is placed in a non-government building for public viewing. It was often used for those with a high social status. Repose in fact means "lie at rest".

Every funeral is important and our loved ones who have past on deserve a "send off" according to their wishes regardless of what phrase is used! 

Sources: The Slate News and Politics, WIKI, and US House and Senate web site.