No funeral arrangements for Ford yet, but this is what might happen.

[Cleita]

From The Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4427982.html

Dec. 27, 2006, 3:13AM
Ford's death sets in motion a period of mourning steeped in history


By CALVIN WOODWARD
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The modern presidency operates as if by script, with carefully chosen crowds, painstakingly shaped words and backdrops picked for just the right effect.

As in life, so, too, in death.

The funeral of an ex-president follows rituals soaked in tradition and specified right down to the exact speed of a procession, 20 miles per hour. That doesn't mean one president's funeral is like another's — far from it — and Gerald Ford's may not have the full-throated grandeur of Ronald Reagan's in June 2004.

Planners are guided by the wishes of the family and any instructions from the president himself on how elaborate the events will be, how much of it takes place in Washington and more. Ford's collegial character and unassuming style in the White House are expected to be reflected in his presidential funeral arrangements, details of which have yet to be announced.

The Military District of Washington and the family will detail funeral plans, which are expected to involve a small private ceremony in Palm Desert, Calif., and an opportunity for the public to pay respects there before the body is flown to Washington for a period of public mourning in the capital. more...

Let's hope President Ford's family tones it down.

[Beetwasher]

1. Chimpy Will Whore It Up For All It's Worth

That's one thing you can count on for certain.

[burythehatchet]

9. just hope I'm alive to see it

[NewYorkerfromMass]

17. Umm.... you only need live another week or so then

Beet was refering to Bush's behavior for Ford's- not his own funeral.

[burythehatchet]

18. yeah, I see

I was imagining the funeral der fuehrer would bestow upon himself.

[TlalocW]

13. One thing we can say about Chimply's funeral procession

It won't be putting along at 20 mph. If his car for his 2001 swearing-in ceremony had to speed up because of egg attacks, you can bet that his hearse will be going about 55 to avoid the projectiles aimed at it.

TlalocW

[NYC Liberal]

16. And the driver should be drunk. It'd be an appropriate memorial, wouldn't you say?

Besides, by the time Bush dies, he'll be so villified that I doubt he will even HAVE a state funeral. Nixon didn't.

[MrCoffee]

2. scuttlebutt has it that the family wants a modest funeral

he'll lie in state in the Capitol building, but allegedly there won't be a lot of pomp and circumstance going on.

[Imagevision]

3. Bush is upset this didn't happen in January, they could have milked this properly

No disrespect, but I hope the funeral doesn't over shadow Dems celebrations in January!!

[Hoosier Dem]

4. I don't think it will be over-the-top

Ford was a lot more modest than Ronnie and Nancy were, so I'd expect a more quiet funeral. Ford may even do what Harry Truman requested and say "No" to a state funeral. For those too young to remember, there was NOTHING in Washington for Truman. At his request, he lay in repose at his library in Independence with almost no pomp. Most likely, Ford will lay in repose at the Captiol and the burial will be at his library.


Ford is supposed to be buried in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at his library. If he does lie in state there, our family will probably go as it may be my kids only chance to see a presidential lying-in this close to home.

[Buzz Clik]

5. Something along the lines of the Ayotollah's funeral would be interesting.

The casket is carried by pallbearers through an adoring throng of fundies. The mob opens the casket and starts passing the body around like a rock star in a mosh pit.

It would be awesome.

[MrCoffee]

7. that's how my funeral is going to be.

[BenDavid]

11. Now that my friend would be

well worth watching. Now Buzz that was good :D

[BOSSHOG]

6. reagan's funeral was an embarrassment

It was like the republicans were telling the world they had a big dick. Guys who don't have them tell others they do. A total fucking waste of resources and incredible display of fake sadness.

[WI_DEM]

8. Ford spent 25 years in congress and was minority leader so he

will probably lay in state at the capitol, not all presidents have.

[Hoosier Dem]

12. All but two have lain in state in the last 50 years...

The only two presidents who did not lie in state at the Capitol were Harry Truman (who didn't want it) and Richard Nixon (who didn't seserve it).

Another factor in the family's decision will probably be Mrs. Ford. She's only a few months shy of 89 and may just not be able to do a full-blown funeral. When harry Truman died, Bess Truman was unable to take part in the funeral except for the burial service.

[Jose Diablo]

10. A period of mourning...OK that's enough time n/t

back to work.

[MisterP]

14. "steeped in history" what's that mean, a "WIN" banner over the coffin?

[Cleita]

15. They just announced on the radio that the family said the

funeral and laying in state will be done before the new congress convenes. That's good news. Let's hope that Rove doesn't pressure the family to do otherwise.

[Penndems]

19. I posted this over in LBN:

Former President Ford will be lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda from about 5:30 Saturday evening until next Tuesday morning.

At 7:00 p.m. Saturday, there will be a prayer service in the Rotunda.

On Tuesday, January 2nd, former President Ford's casket will be removed from the Rotunda and taken by motorcade to the National Cathedral for a 10:30 a.m. funeral service. After the service, the casket will be transported to Andrews Air Force Base, and flown to his Presidential Library in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The funeral and burial in a tomb near the Ford Presidential Library will be next Wednesday morning.