How to pay your respects to the late Brian Mulroney in Ottawa

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The body of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney will lie in state for two days in Ottawa this week, giving dignitaries and residents of the region the opportunity to pay their last respects and offer their condolences.

Mulroney, who was Canada’s 18th pMinister of Frost from 1984 to 1993, He died in a Florida hospital on February 29 after a fall at his Palm Beach home. A state funeral will be held in Montreal on Saturday.

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Here’s what you need to know about Mulroney’s state of repose, his repose and the funeral.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIE IN STATE?

The term refers to the formal tradition of allowing the public to pay their respects to a deceased dignitary or head of state in an important government building, usually on Parliament Hill. The coffin containing the body is flanked by an honor guard as visitors take turns saying goodbye.

The last time a Canadian dignitary was honored in Ottawa was in 2011, when thousands of people waited in line for hours to commemorate NDP leader Jack Layton as his body lay in state in the House of Commons.

IS Lying Down DIFFERENT FROM Lying Down At Rest?

Yes. Lying in repose is a similar tradition of making the body available to the public, but it takes place in a location other than the seat of government. Mulroney’s body will lie in state at St. Patrick’s Basilica, 460 René-Lévesque Blvd. W., in Montreal, from March 21 to 22.

WHEN AND WHERE WILL MULRONEY BE IN THE STATE?

Due to the ongoing renovation of Parliament Hill, Mulroney’s body will lie in state across the street at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building, 144 Wellington St., on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 19 and 20. The casket arrives Tuesday morning and the Mulroney family will greet dignitaries first, beginning at 10 a.m. with Governor General Mary Simon and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

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The public can visit from 12:30 to 6 pm on Tuesdays and from 9 am to 1 pm on Wednesdays. A book of condolence is available to sign on site.

IS THERE AN ADMISSION FEE?

No, but a security check is required to enter the building and line-ups are expected. Canadian Heritage organizers recommend traveling light: leave the big bags at home.

WILL THE AREA STREETS CLOSED?

Yes. Ottawa’s street closure begins at 6 pm Monday and does not reopen until 6 pm Wednesday. The following streets will be closed to traffic during this period:

• Wellington Street from Elgin Street to Bank Street
• Sparks Street from Elgin Street to Bank Street
• O’Connor Street from Wellington Street to Queen Street
• Metcalfe Street from Wellington Street to Queen Street

AND THE FUNERAL?

The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Notre-Dame de Montreal Basilica, 110 Notre-Dame St. West, in Montreal, following a funeral procession that includes an RCMP mounted escort, a Force escort Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Air Force. Band, RCMP pallbearers and other honorary pallbearers.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mulroney’s daughter Caroline, Wayne Gretzky, James Baker and Jean Charest will offer eulogies, while music will be performed by members of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, The Tenors, Marc Hervieux, Marie-Josée Lord and Elizabeth Theodora Lapham, Mulroney’s granddaughter. To top it all off, there is a 19-gun salute at the end of the ceremony, fired from the Clock Tower pier in Montreal’s Old Port.

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CAN I WATCH IT FROM HOME?

Yes. The funeral procession and ceremony will be streamed live from Montreal on Canadian Heritage’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

CAN I SEND FLOWERS?

There’s no need. In lieu of flowers, the family asks supporters to consider making a donation to the Brian Mulroney Government Institute at St. Francis Xavier University or Brian-Mulroney, Carrefour international at Laval University. You can also sign (or view) an online condolence book at www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/commemoration/brian-mulroney/book.html

HOW MUCH ARE FLAGS AT HALF-MAST?

Flags on the Peace Tower and all federal buildings and establishments in Canada will fly at half-mast until sunset on Saturday to pay tribute to the former prime minister.

— With files from the Canadian press.

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