Funeral includes National Cathedral service, South Carolina burial
Senate Republican leader John Thune, R-S.D., announced the plans to honor Graham, who died July 12, two days after his 71st birthday. Graham is expected to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda on July 28.
“As we say our final goodbyes, it seems fitting for his friends and colleagues to give back to him through this special Capitol honor,” Thune said in a statement published by Politico.
After the Capitol ceremony, Graham’s body will be taken to the Washington National Cathedral for an invite-only service. President Donald Trump is expected to attend, according to Sen. Darline Graham Nordone, Graham’s sister and his replacement in the Senate, who announced the funeral plans Tuesday.
Following the Washington service, Graham’s body will be transported to South Carolina for services on July 29. The events include a funeral procession accompanied by an F-16 flyover by the 169th Fighter Wing of the McEntire Joint National Guard Base, followed by a church service and a private family burial in Pickens County.
“I am grateful to all those who have come together to help honor and remember Lindsey,” Nordone Graham said in a statement.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to President Trump and his team, Washington National Cathedral, Senate leadership, First Baptist Church of Columbia and the Senate Sergeant at Arms for going above and beyond to ensure these will be honorable tributes to Lindsey,” she said.