| A presidential funeral is traditionally a public | | | | chaplain for the immediate family, and a |
| ceremony held in honor of the head of state, and | | | | flag-draped casket. A presidential funeral starts |
| usually take place amidst pomp and extravaganza. | | | | with a procession in a caisson either starting from |
| In the United States, presidential funerals follow | | | | the White House or the corner of 16th St. and |
| certain traditions and protocols, though the family | | | | Constitution Avenue, and travels to the U.S. |
| of the deceased determines the exact sequence | | | | Capitol. |
| of events. | | | | A short service is held upon the arrival of the |
| The first presidential funeral in the US was held | | | | casket in the U.S. Capitol, in the presence of the |
| for William Henry Harrison, who died just a month | | | | members of Congress. Later, the president's body |
| after taking office in 1841. Although most of the | | | | lies in state for public viewing, with an honor guard |
| earliest leaders were buried with little more | | | | maintaining a vigil. At the end of the public viewing, |
| fanfare than the average citizen, in the modern | | | | a national memorial service is held in Washington |
| world, the rituals connected with the death of an | | | | D.C., either at the Washington National Cathedral |
| American president has become more elaborate. | | | | or at another church or cathedral as requested by |
| For instance, after Abraham Lincoln's | | | | the family. Various foreign dignitaries and |
| assassination, his body was carried in a funeral | | | | government officials around the world also attend |
| train to fourteen cities before his burial. | | | | the service. Once the service is completed, the |
| The presidential funerals allow American citizens to | | | | body is put into its final resting place for burial. |
| participate in their leader's last journey, and | | | | U.S. presidents are just not politicians, they |
| dignitaries from around the world also join in to | | | | symbolize America as a nation and the death of a |
| share the grief. Most presidential funerals include | | | | president is a profound loss and often deeply felt |
| armed forces pallbearers, 21-gun salutes, | | | | by the country. |
| renditions by military bands and choirs, a military | | | | |