Lying in repose is a term used to describe when a deceased person, often of some stature, is available for public viewing. "Lying in repose" is different from the formal honor of "lying in state", which is generally held at the principal government building of the country and often accompanied by an honor guard.[1]
Contents[hide] |
In the United States, the distinction between "lying in repose" and "lying in state" is not often observed. However, "lying in state" is generally considered to exclusively refer to being placed in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol.
The remains of presidents who die in office generally lie in repose in the East Room of the White House while those of a deceased former president generally lie in repose in his home state. However, as an example to the contrary, when John F. Kennedy lay in repose, the term meant "private" as opposed to a public lying in state.
The body of Babe Ruth lies in repose in Yankee Stadium.
Not everyone eligible to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda does so. For instance, President Richard Nixon lay in repose at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California, Senator Edward Kennedy lay in repose at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts, and Senator Robert Byrd lay in repose in the Senate chamber at the Capitol.[2]
In Canada, when deceased governors general and prime ministers lie anywhere outside of the Centre Block of Parliament Hill, they lie in repose. In the Hall of Honour, the Senate, or the foyer of the House of Commons, they lie in state.