Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly at age 71 on the night of July 11 after emergency personnel responded to a cardiac arrest call at his home, will be honored with two days of funeral services beginning Tuesday, July 27, in Washington, D.C., and continuing Wednesday in South Carolina, which he represented for more than three decades.

On Tuesday morning, Graham’s casket will be carried by an armed forces body bearer team in recognition of his military service as an Air Force judge advocate general officer, retiring from the Air Force Reserve in 2015 with the rank of colonel. Although he will not lie in state or honor as presidents and other prominent figures have, Graham will be recognized with a special ceremony in the Capitol’s rotunda, accompanied by a Capitol Police memorial guard acknowledging his Senate service.

Following the Capitol ceremony, Graham’s casket will be taken to Washington National Cathedral for an invitation-only funeral service at 2 p.m. Afterward, his remains will be flown to South Carolina for further services and a private family burial in Pickens County, where he and his wife Darline were born and raised.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated, “From the military to state politics to decades of representing South Carolinians in Congress, Lindsey dedicated his life to giving back through public service. As we say our final goodbyes, it seems fitting for his friends and colleagues to give back to him through this special Capitol honor.”

World leaders, President Donald Trump, and officials in Washington are expected to pay their respects during the services.

Sources