Lying in State: The Traditions and Honors of the United States Capitol
In the United States, lying in state is one of the rarest and most prestigious honors bestowed upon a deceased individual. This solemn tradition involves placing the remains of a distinguished member or former member of the government in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., allowing the public to pay their final respects.
This honor is not automatic for most. It must be authorized by a congressional resolution or approved by congressional leadership, and it requires the explicit permission of the deceased's survivors. By regulation and custom, this distinction is reserved for presidents, military commanders, justices of the Supreme Court, and members of Congress.
The ceremony is marked by a strict military presence, as the casket is guarded by members of the six branches of the United States armed forces. Most individuals who have lain in state have done so upon the catafalque—a decorated wooden frame—originally constructed for the funeral of Abraham Lincoln.
Key Facts
- Eligibility: Reserved for presidents, military commanders, Supreme Court justices, and members of Congress.
- Authorization: Requires a congressional resolution or leadership approval and survivor consent.
- Lying in State vs. Honour: Lying in state features military guards; lying in honour features civilian guards from the U.S. Capitol Police.
- Historical Firsts: Henry Clay was the first leader to lie in state (1852); Rosa Parks was the first woman to lie in honour (2005).
- Total Recipients: 36 people have lain in state, including 12 presidents and four unknown soldiers.
Lying in State vs. Lying in Honour
While both traditions involve public viewing in the Capitol Rotunda, there is a critical distinction in the guard of honor. Those lying in state are guarded by representatives from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. In contrast, those lying in honour are guarded by the U.S. Capitol Police, serving as civilian guards of honor.
Since 1998, six Americans have lain in honour. A landmark moment occurred in 2005 when Rosa Parks became the first woman to receive this specific honor in the United States Capitol.
State and City Level Honors
Beyond the national level, various U.S. states and cities maintain their own traditions of lying in state to honor local leaders, civil rights icons, and distinguished citizens.
Regional Traditions and Notable Figures
- Alabama and Georgia: Civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis was honored in both the Alabama Capitol (July 26, 2020) and the Georgia Capitol (July 29, 2020), where he became the first African American member of Congress to lie in state.
- Arizona: Senator John McCain lay in state at the Arizona State Capitol in August 2018 before being honored at the U.S. Capitol two days later.
- California: San Francisco has a history of honoring local leaders in its City Hall Rotunda, including Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk (1978), Mayor Ed Lee (2017), and Senator Dianne Feinstein (2023).
- Hawaii: Eight individuals have been honored at the Hawaii State Capitol, including Governor John A. Burns, Senator Daniel Inouye, and singer Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.
- Illinois: Honors have been granted at the Illinois Capitol for figures like Adlai Stevenson II and Governor Jim Edgar (2025), while Chicago City Hall and the Public Library have hosted others, such as Mayor Carter Harrison III.
- Kentucky: The Kentucky Capitol has honored 23 people through 2022, including civilians like KFC founder Colonel Harland Sanders and the state's first female governor, Martha Layne Collins (2025).
- Michigan: Four governors have lain in state at the Capitol Building. Additionally, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History has served as a site for honors for Rosa Parks, Mayor Coleman Young, Aretha Franklin, Barbara-Rose Collins, and John Conyers Jr.
- Minnesota: In a unique occurrence on June 27, 2025, former Speaker Melissa Hortman became the first woman to lie in state at the Minnesota State Capitol, accompanied by her husband Mark and their dog Gilbert.
- New York: While few have lain in state at the state capitol, New York City Hall has honored figures such as Civil War Generals Abner Doubleday and Joseph Hooker, and more recently, Charles Rangel (2025).
- South Carolina: Senator Clementa Pinckney (2015) and Rev. Jesse Jackson (2026) are the two African Americans to have lain in state at the South Carolina State House.
- Texas: Honors have been granted at the Texas State Capitol for Governor Ann Richards and Sylvester Turner, while Houston City Hall has honored Dr. Michael DeBakey and Sheila Jackson Lee.
- Washington: Belle Reeves, the state's first female secretary of state, received the only state funeral ever held in the House Chamber of the Washington State Legislature in 1948.
Summary of Honors
| Feature | Lying in State | Lying in Honour |
|---|---|---|
| Guard of Honour | Six branches of U.S. Armed Forces | U.S. Capitol Police (Civilian) |
| Typical Recipients | Presidents, Military Commanders, SCOTUS Justices, Congress Members | Distinguished private citizens |
| Primary Location | U.S. Capitol Rotunda | U.S. Capitol Rotunda |
| Catafalque | Often the Lincoln catafalque | Other biers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol?
By regulation and custom, the honor is reserved for presidents, former presidents, military commanders, justices of the Supreme Court, and members of Congress.
What is the difference between lying in state and lying in honour?
The primary difference is the guard: those lying in state are guarded by the U.S. Armed Forces, while those lying in honour are guarded by the civilian U.S. Capitol Police.
Is lying in state automatic for all presidents?
Yes, it is generally automatic for presidents and former presidents, though families may decline the service, as was the case with Harry Truman and Richard Nixon.
Who was the first person to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol?
The first leader to receive this honor was Henry Clay, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, in 1852.
Can civilians lie in state at the national level?
Civilians typically do not lie in state; instead, they may be granted the honor of lying in honour, such as Rosa Parks in 2005.