The Associated Press has the early word on scheduling for President Gerald Ford’s state funeral and public viewing, though they have yet to be approved by the Ford family and therefore are not final.

Officials were preparing tentative plans for President Gerald Ford’s body to lie in state this weekend and expected a funeral service after New Year’s at National Cathedral capping days of mourning in the capital.

U.S. Capitol Police officers said they were told to prepare for Ford’s body to come to the Capitol Rotunda on Saturday, and congressional officials who have been briefed on plans said a public viewing would begin after an arrival ceremony. The cathedral service was expected Tuesday.

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A senior Republican leadership official said all events related to Ford’s funeral in Washington would be finished by Jan. 4, opening day of the 110th Congress, meaning no delay was anticipated in the hand-over of congressional control to Democrats. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because funeral plans were not complete.

You may recall that in 2004, President Reagan’s public viewing in the Rotunda lasted approximately 36 hours — which means that theoretically, barring any closures for the New Year’s Day holiday, President Ford’s viewing could be significantly longer than Reagan’s should this plan go forward. It all depends on what time the former president’s body arrives at the Capitol and what hours it will be available for the public to pay their respects, but it could easily be open for 72 hours before a Tuesday funeral. We’ll be sure to update when the plans are finalized, including all the pertinent details regarding hours, processions, and street closures.

Photo by suz4t

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