Having one's remains lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda is a rare honor reserved for only a select few former presidents. This tradition, governed by concurrent action by the House and Senate, has gained popularity in the 21st century as it allows the public to pay their respects to these esteemed leaders.
The first president to be accorded this honor was President Abraham Lincoln in 1865, following his assassination. Subsequently, James Garfield received the tribute in 1881 after succumbing to injuries inflicted by an assassin.
Throughout the 20th century, state funerals for U.S. presidents became more common. Presidents such as William McKinley, Warren Harding, and John F. Kennedy were honored with public viewings in the Capitol Rotunda. Kennedy's viewing, in particular, drew hundreds of thousands of mourners.
While most presidents who have lain in state died while in office, several former presidents have also been honored in this manner. Herbert Hoover, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, and most recently, George H.W. Bush, who passed away in November 2018, have all been commemorated in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
Since 1865, the catafalque that supported President Lincoln's casket has been used in nearly all services held in the Capitol Rotunda, as confirmed by the Architect of the Capitol. This historic structure serves as a poignant reminder of the solemnity and reverence associated with honoring the nation's former leaders.
