Lying in state is the tradition in which a coffin is placed on view to allow the public at large to pay their respects to the deceased. It traditionally takes place in the principal government building of a country or city. While the practice differs among countries, a viewing in a location that is not the principal government building is referred to as lying in repose.
Read more about Lying In State: Canada, North Korea, Russia, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City
Famous quotes containing the words lying and/or state:
“Old heavens, you used to tweak above us,
Standing like rain whenever a salvo . . . Old heavens,
You lying there above the old, but not ruined, fort,
Can you hear, there, what I am saying?
For it is you I am parodying,
Your invisible denials.”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)
“And now the end is near
And so I face the final curtain,
I’ll state my case of which I’m certain.
I’ve lived a life that’s full, I traveled each and ev’ry highway,
And more, much more than this. I did it my way.”
—Frank Sinatra (b. 1915)