In one of the articles about Ronald Reagan’s funeral, it was said that only nine presidents prior to him have lain in state below the Capitol Rotunda. In other words, it’s a rare honor. Is it an honor that was granted to anyone other than a late president?
Sorry to answer my own question, but I searched after posting and found this web page that lists everyone granted this honor. It’s from the website of the Architect of the Capitol.
Lying in state, and the big state funeral, are available to any former president, in practice. It’s up to the family, and most don’t choose to do it. Yes, I read the cite. President Nixon lay in state in his presidential library, and so did President L. B. Johnson.
Related Trivia: Which US President did not have a US flag draped on their coffin? (answer tomorrow)
John Tyler would be my guess since he had been named to the Confederate Congress before he died.
Yes, senators, congressmen, Supreme court justices and the two capitol policeman who were killed on duty have all lain in state in the Rotunda.
Those Who Have Lain in State or in Honor in the Capitol Rotunda
DING DING DING! The winner!
They tried it with some of the living presidents, but they all clawed their way out of their coffins.