Culture

What is Lying in Repose? How is it Different From Lying in State?

by Tina Kells | August 27, 2009 at 05:18 pm

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Senator Edward Kennedy, who died on August 25, 2009, was left lying in repose at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. It is normal for public figures to be left lying in state so the public can say goodbye, but what is lying in repose? How is it different?

Kennedy's body will travel the 70 miles from Cape Cod to lie in repose at the library he helped develop in tribute to one of his slain brothers.

Outside of the USA the term lying in state is used whenever a public official is placed in public viewing for the people. The Pope is often left lying in state, as is royalty and world leaders. However, in the United States the term is more strictly applied. The term lying in repose is normally used interchangeably with lying in state.

How is lying in repose is different from lying in state in the USA? In the USA it is strictly reserved for the US President or any public figure placed for public view in the Rotunda of the US Capitol. When somebody is left lying in repose it is normally in the family home or a church.

In the United States, the distinction between "lying in repose" and "lying in state" is not often observed. However, "lying in state" is generally considered to exclusively refer to being placed in the Rotunda of the Capitol.

The remains of presidents who die in office generally lie in repose in the East Room of the White House while the body of a deceased former president generally lies in repose in his home state. However, as an example to the contrary, when President John F. Kennedy lay in repose, the term "lying in repose" meant private as opposed to a public lying in state.

As an example, Senator Edward Kennedy's body will lie in repose at the JFK library in Boston, Massachusetts.