Lying in repose
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Lying in repose is when the remains of a deceased person, often one of some stature, are available for viewing by the public. This is different from "lying in state;" the latter term refers to a formal honor, generally in the principal government building of a country and accompanied by an honor guard.
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[edit] United States
In the United States, the distinction between "lying in repose" and "lying in state" is not much observed. However, "lying in state" is generally considered to exclusively refer to being placed in the Rotunda of the Capitol.
The remains of presidents who die in office generally lie in repose in the East Room of the White House. The body of a deceased former president generally lies in repose in his home state. However, when President John F. Kennedy lay in repose, the term "lying in repose" meant private as opposed to a public lying in state.
[edit] Canada
In Canada, when deceased governors general and prime ministers lie anywhere outside of the Hall of Honour on Parliament Hill, they lie in repose. In the Hall of Honour, they lie in state.
