View source for Death and state funeral of Ronald Reagan

{{short description|2004 funeral of the 40th U.S. president}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}{{Infobox historical event
| Event_Name = Death and state funeral of Ronald Reagan
| Image_Name = US Navy 040609-A-8024C-018 Ceremonial Honor Guard stand watch over the flag-draped casket of former President Ronald Reagan during his State Funeral in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda (cropped).jpg
| Imagesize = 250px
| Image_Caption = Reagan lies in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda.
|  organizers = {{ublist|[[JTF-NCR]]|[[U.S. Department of Defense]]<ref>{{Cite report|last1=Straus|first1=Jacob R.|last2=Kreiser|first2=Maria|last3=Reese|first3=Shawn|date=December 3, 2018|title=Presidential State Funerals: Past Practices and Security Considerations|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11003/3|publisher=[[Congressional Research Service]]|access-date=January 6, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=State funerals|url=https://jtfncr.mdw.army.mil/statefunerals/|publisher=[[Joint Task Force – National Capital Region|JTF-NCR]]/[[United States Army Military District of Washington|USAMDW]]|access-date=January 6, 2025}}</ref>}}
| Participants = [[Gerald Ford]]<br />[[Jimmy Carter]]<br />[[George H. W. Bush]]<br />[[Bill Clinton]]<br />[[George W. Bush]]<br />[[Dick Cheney]]<br />Members of the [[108th United States Congress]]<br />[[Margaret Thatcher]]<br />[[Mikhail Gorbachev]]<br>[[Brian Mulroney]]
| Location = [[United States Capitol rotunda|Capitol Rotunda]], [[United States Capitol|U.S. Capitol]], [[Washington, D.C.]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|34.25899|-118.82043|region:US-CA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| Date = June 9–11, 2004 (state funeral) <br /> June 5–July 3, 2004 (mourning period)
}}
{{Ronald Reagan series}}
[[File:General Jackman and Nancy Reagan, June 11, 2004.JPEG|thumb|upright|During the week's events Nancy Reagan was escorted in public by [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] [[Major general#United States|Major General]] [[Galen B. Jackman]]. ]]
On June 5, 2004, [[Ronald Reagan]], the 40th [[president of the United States]] and the 33rd [[governor of California]], died after having [[Alzheimer's disease]] for over a decade. Reagan was the first former U.S. president to die in 10 years since [[Death and state funeral of Richard Nixon|Richard Nixon in 1994]]. At the age of {{age in years and days|1911|2|6|2004|6|5}}, Reagan was the longest-lived U.S. president in history at the time of his death, a record which has since been surpassed by [[Gerald Ford]], [[George H. W. Bush]], and [[Jimmy Carter]]. His seven-day state funeral followed. After Reagan's death, his body was taken from his [[668 St. Cloud Road|Bel Air home]] to the Kingsley and Gates Funeral Home in [[Santa Monica, California]], to prepare the body for burial. On June 7, Reagan's [[Coffin|casket]] was transported by [[hearse]] and displayed at the [[Ronald Reagan Presidential Library]] in [[Simi Valley, California]], then flown to [[Washington, D.C.]], on June 9 for a service, public viewing and tributes at the [[United States Capitol|U.S. Capitol]].

After [[lying in state]] for 34 hours in the [[United States Capitol rotunda|Capitol rotunda]], a [[state funeral]] service was conducted at the [[Washington National Cathedral]] on June 11, the day when President [[George W. Bush]] declared a national day of mourning. Later that day, after the service, Reagan's casket was transported back to California for [[Burial|interment]] at the Reagan Presidential Library. The state funeral was executed by the [[United States Army Military District of Washington|Military District of Washington]] (MDW). Reagan was the first former U.S. president to die in the 21st century.

==Death==
On the morning of June 5, 2004, there were reports that Reagan's health had significantly deteriorated, following nine years of Alzheimer's disease.<ref>{{cite news|title=Relatives gather as Reagan's health fades|date=2004-06-06|access-date=2008-02-03|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1858341.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140330015624/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1858341.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-03-30|format=Reprint|work=The Independent on Sunday|author=Buncombe, Andrew}}</ref> According to Reagan's daughter, [[Patti Davis]], "At the last moment, when his breathing told us this was it, he opened his eyes and looked straight at my mother. Eyes that hadn't opened for days did, and they weren't chalky or vague. They were clear and blue and full of love. If a death can be lovely, his was".<ref name="lovelydeath"/> His wife, former [[First Lady of the United States|first lady]] [[Nancy Reagan]] told him that the moment was "the greatest gift you could have given me."<ref name="lovelydeath">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/07/reagan.davis/index.html|publisher=CNN|access-date=2008-06-12|date=June 8, 2004|title=Reagans shared one last moment}}</ref> He died of [[pneumonia]] at his home, [[668 St. Cloud Road]], in the [[Bel-Air, Los Angeles|Bel-Air]] district of [[Los Angeles]], at 1:09 PM [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]], at the age of 93.

President [[George W. Bush]] was in [[Paris]] when Reagan died and acknowledged the death in a [[press conference]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/05/bush.reagan.statement/index.html|title=President Bush praises Reagan: 'His work is done'|date=2004-06-08|access-date=2008-02-03|publisher=CNN}}</ref>{{blockquote|This is a sad hour in the life of America. A great American life has come to an end. I have just spoken to Nancy Reagan. On behalf of our whole nation, Laura and I offered her and the Reagan family our prayers and our condolences. Ronald Reagan won America's respect with his greatness, and won its love with his goodness. He had the confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with character, the grace that comes with humility, and the humor that comes with wisdom. He leaves behind a nation he restored and a world he helped save. During the years of President Reagan, America laid to rest an era of division and self-doubt. And because of his leadership, the world laid to rest an era of fear and tyranny. Now, in laying our leader to rest, we say thank you. He always told us that for America, the best was yet to come. We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that this is true for him, too. His work is done, and now a shining city awaits him. May God bless Ronald Reagan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040605-7.html|title=President's Remarks on the Passing of President Ronald Reagan|date=June 6, 2004|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|access-date=2008-03-09}}</ref>|[[George W. Bush|President George W. Bush]], June 5, 2004}}

Bush's competitor for the [[2004 United States presidential election|2004 presidential election]], the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee [[John Kerry]], also commented on Reagan's death, saying "He was our oldest president . . . but he made America young again."<ref name=":0">{{Citation|title=Introduction: Ronald Reagan's Defining Vision for the 1980s—and America|date=2013-12-31|url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9781400849307.1/html|work=Morning in America|pages=1–23|publisher=Princeton University Press|doi=10.1515/9781400849307.1|isbn=978-1-4008-4930-7|access-date=2021-11-23|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Various [[Flag of the United States|U.S. flags]] at the [[White House]], across the United States, and around the world over official U.S. installations and operating locations, were ordered to be flown at [[half-staff]] for 30 days in a presidential proclamation by President Bush.<ref name="GWB announcement">George W. Bush, [https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040606-1.html "Announcing the death of Ronald Reagan"]. Press release, Office of the Press Secretary, June 6, 2004.</ref><ref>George W. Bush,[https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/07/20040702-7.html "Returning the Flag of the United States to Full-Staff"] Press release, Office of the Press Secretary, July 2, 2004.</ref> In the announcement of Reagan's death, Bush also declared June 11 as a [[National Day of Mourning]].<ref name="GWB announcement" />

Some of the early [[q:Ronald Reagan#Quotes about Reagan|international tributes to Reagan]] included those of Queen [[Elizabeth II]], former British prime minister [[Margaret Thatcher]], former [[Soviet Union]] Leader [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] (also attending the funeral), British prime minister [[Tony Blair]], former Canadian prime ministers [[Brian Mulroney]] and [[Paul Martin]], and French president [[Jacques Chirac]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3780501.stm|title=Ronald Reagan: Tributes|date=2004-06-06|access-date=2008-02-03|publisher=BBC}}</ref> Martin advised Governor General [[Adrienne Clarkson]] to order all [[Flag of Canada|flags across Canada]] and at all Canadian diplomatic missions in the United States flown to half-staff on the 11th as well, in sympathy with the U.S.'s National Day of Mourning. In Germany, Chancellor [[Gerhard Schröder]] ordered [[Flag of Germany|German flags]] flown at half-staff above government buildings on the 11th as well.<ref name="Funeral" />

Tributes and condolences were left at U.S. embassies and consulates overseas, as well as at places around the country significant to Reagan's life, including his presidential library, his birthplace in [[Tampico, Illinois]], the funeral home where his body was taken after he died, and the [[Tau Kappa Epsilon]] fraternity house in [[Eureka, Illinois]]. The electronic signs at the [[Massachusetts Turnpike]] flashed the message "God Speed President Reagan."<ref name=":0" />

After Reagan's death, campaigning for the ongoing [[2004 United States elections]] was considered disrespectful during a time of mourning, and was suspended.<ref>{{cite news|title=No Campaign Ads on Day of Reagan Rites|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 8, 2004|page=A23}}</ref> The [[2004 Canadian federal election]] was also to be held; prime minister and [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]] leader Martin; [[Leader of the Official Opposition (Canada)|Opposition Leader]] and [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative Party]] leader [[Stephen Harper]], and [[New Democratic Party]] Leader [[Jack Layton]] suspended their campaigns, citing respect for Reagan.<ref>{{cite news|title='Brian, I think the end is near': Nancy Reagan's words reveal family's fondness for Mulroney|first1=Mike|last1=Blanchfield|first2=Sean|last2=Gordon|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=June 6, 2004|page=A1}}</ref>

==Funeral events==

===Reagan Library===
[[File:ReaganFamilyPresidentialLibrary.jpg|thumb|right|Nancy Reagan leans her head on her husband's casket at his [[Ronald Reagan Presidential Library|presidential library]]. ]]
On June 7, Reagan's body was removed from the funeral home and driven in a 20-mile-per-hour (32&nbsp;km/h)<ref name="mortician">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/06/09/MNGFT72OVO89.DTL|work=The San Francisco Chronicle|title=For Reagan mortician, the 'honor of a lifetime'|author=Guthrie, Julian|date=June 9, 2004|access-date=2008-03-09}}</ref> [[motorcade]], by hearse, to the [[Ronald Reagan Presidential Library]] in [[Simi Valley, California|Simi Valley]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050506055224/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1086699964725_3 "Thousands pay respect to Reagan in California"]. CTV News, June 8, 2004. Retrieved 2008-03-09</ref>

Reagan's remains were presented in a Marsellus Masterpiece model purchased from a funeral home in [[Alhambra, California|Alhambra]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/insidebiz/article/0,9171,1223359,00.html|title=Opening the Box|magazine=Time|date=August 6, 2006|author=Cullen, Lisa Takeuchi|access-date=2008-03-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516005802/http://www.time.com/time/insidebiz/article/0,9171,1223359,00.html|archive-date=May 16, 2008}}</ref> It was carried by a military [[honor guard]] representing all branches of the [[United States Armed Forces]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Ronald Reagan laid to rest in California|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ronald-reagan-laid-to-rest-in-california-1.497830|date=June 12, 2004|access-date=2008-03-09|publisher=CBC News}}</ref> into the lobby of the library to [[Lying in repose|lie in repose]].<ref name="RR office schedule">{{cite press release|url=http://www.ronaldreaganmemorial.com/pressrelease_st5.asp|publisher=The Office of Ronald Reagan|title=Outline of Funeral Events in Honor of Ronald Wilson Reagan|date=June 6, 2004|access-date=2008-03-09|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080419070229/http://www.ronaldreaganmemorial.com/pressrelease_st5.asp |archive-date = April 19, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> There, a brief family service was conducted by the [[Michael Wenning|Reverend Dr. Michael H. Wenning]], former pastor of [[Bel Air Church]], where Reagan worshipped.<ref name="sptimes">{{cite news|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2004/06/08/Worldandnation/Mourners_gather_for_f.shtml|title=Mourners gather for first of farewells|agency=Associated Press|work=The St. Petersburg Times|date=June 8, 2004|access-date=2008-03-09}}</ref> When the prayer service concluded, Nancy Reagan and her family approached the casket, where Nancy laid her head on it.<ref name="sptimes"/> After the family left, the doors of the presidential library opened, and the public began filing in at a rate of 2,000 an hour throughout the night. In all, about 108,000 people visited the presidential library to see the casket.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/08/reagan.main/index.html|access-date=2008-04-20|title=100,000 file past Reagan's casket|date=June 9, 2004}}</ref>

===Departure to Washington===
On June 9, Reagan's casket was removed from the presidential library and driven in a motorcade to [[Naval Air Station Point Mugu|NAS Point Mugu]] in [[Oxnard, California]];<ref>{{cite news|title=Plane carrying Reagan's casket leaves for Washington for his state funeral|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-95354412.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023063454/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-95354412.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 23, 2012|author=Wilson, Jeff|publisher=|date=June 9, 2004|access-date=2008-04-20}}</ref> it was the same airfield Reagan flew into and out of during his presidency when visiting his [[Rancho del Cielo|California ranch]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/14/us/reagan-s-helicopter-in-a-near-collision-with-a-small-plane.html|title=Reagan's Helicopter In a Near-Collision With a Small Plane|date=August 14, 1987|author=Roberts, Steven V|access-date=2008-04-20|work=The New York Times}}</ref> [[Boeing VC-25|SAM 28000]], one of the two [[Boeing 747-200]]s, which usually serves the president as [[Air Force One]], arrived to transport the casket to Washington. Thousands of people gathered to witness the plane's departure. Just before she boarded the [[Air Force One|VC-25A Presidential Aircraft]], Nancy Reagan waved to the crowd with her military escort at her side. The plane lifted off at about 9:40&nbsp;am [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]].<ref name="funeral-usatoday">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-06-08-funeral-usat_x.htm|date=June 10, 2004|access-date=2008-04-20|title=Reagan ceremonies to shift to nation's capital|work=USA Today}}</ref>

===Events in Washington===
[[File:Ronald Reagan casket on caisson during funeral procession.jpg|right|thumb|The [[caisson (vehicle)|caisson]] with President Reagan's casket on [[Constitution Avenue]], marching to the [[United States Capitol|Capitol]] ]]
[[File:Riderless horse DF-SD-06-14683.JPEG|thumb|right|The riderless horse, [[Sergeant York (horse)|Sergeant York]], with Reagan's own riding boots reversed in the stirrups]]
[[File:BUSHESPAYRESPECTS.jpg|thumb|right|The Bushes pay their respects to Reagan.]]
In Washington, D.C., members of [[United States Congress|Congress]], and much of the public, paid tribute to Reagan immediately after his death and throughout his funeral.

====Funeral procession====
Events in the capital began when Reagan's casket arrived at [[Andrews Air Force Base]] in Maryland. It was removed from the plane, driven by hearse in a [[Funeral procession|procession]] through the [[Maryland]] and [[Virginia]] suburbs and the nation's capital, across the [[Arlington Memorial Bridge]], and onto [[Constitution Avenue]].<ref name="mdw"/>

Just before the plane arrived at Andrews AFB, the U.S. Capitol was evacuated for a brief period, when a plane carrying [[Governor of Kentucky|Kentucky Governor]] [[Ernie Fletcher]] was reported off course and created a scare by entering [[restricted airspace]]; the transponder on Fletcher's plane malfunctioned, leading officials at Reagan National Airport to report an unauthorized aircraft entering restricted airspace. Two [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]] [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15 fighters]] were dispatched to investigate, and Fletcher's plane was escorted to its destination by two [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|UH-60 Black Hawk]] helicopters. The plane, a 33-year-old [[Beechcraft King Air]], was the oldest of its model still in operation. An investigation by the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) found that the crew of Fletcher's plane maintained radio contact with air traffic officials and received clearance to enter the restricted air space. The investigation determined that miscommunication by air traffic controllers sparked the panic. Though the incident did not affect further funeral events, in the aftermath the FAA adopted policies to prevent future errors of a similar nature.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=CNN|title=Capitol Evacuated Before Reagan Procession|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/09/capitol.evacuation/|access-date=2008-04-20|date=June 9, 2004}}</ref>

Near the [[President's Park|Ellipse]], and within sight of the [[White House]], the hearse halted and Reagan's body was transferred to a horse-drawn [[caisson (vehicle)|caisson]] for the procession down [[Constitution Avenue]] to [[Capitol Hill]].<ref name="mdw">{{cite news|url=http://www.mdw.army.mil/content/anmviewer.asp?a=994&z=1|title=The line of march, celebrating a president's life|date=June 11, 2004|access-date=2008-04-20|work=Pentagram Newspaper, Fort Myer|publisher=Military District of Washington|last=Ryan|first=Dennis|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080611161842/http://www.mdw.army.mil/content/anmviewer.asp?a=994&z=1 |archive-date = June 11, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nancy Reagan stepped out of her [[limousine]] to witness the casket's transfer; she was met with a warm greeting, including applause.<ref name="mdw"/> The cortege began the 45-minute journey just after 6:00&nbsp;pm [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]], with the Reagan family following in limousines.<ref name="mdw"/> Military units escorted the caisson as it made its way to the sounds of muffled drums. Behind the caisson was a [[riderless horse]] named [[Sergeant York (horse)|Sergeant York]], carrying Reagan's riding boots reversed in the stirrups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whitehousehistory.org/08/subs/images_subs/whitehousehistory_19.pdf |title=Arlington's Ceremonial Horses and Funerals at the White House |access-date=2008-04-20 |last=Faulkner |first=Claire A |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528010600/http://www.whitehousehistory.org/08/subs/images_subs/whitehousehistory_19.pdf |archive-date=2008-05-28 }}</ref> The caisson paused at [[4th Street (Washington, D.C.)|4th Street]] and [[Constitution Avenue]], where 21 F-15s from [[Seymour Johnson Air Force Base]] in [[North Carolina]], flew over in [[missing man formation]].

====Capitol Hill====
The caisson stopped when it arrived at Capitol Hill; military units removed the casket, and "[[Hail to the Chief]]" was played amidst a [[21-gun salute]].<ref name="cspan-9">{{cite news|date=2004-06-09|title=Formal funeral procession to U.S. Capitol. Casket is transferred from hearse to a horse-drawn caisson at 16th St. & Constitution Ave., NW.|medium=Television production|publisher=C-SPAN|location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref><ref name="capitol-bs"/> The casket was carried up the west front steps of the Capitol, mainly because Reagan was first [[First inauguration of Ronald Reagan|inaugurated]] there and he wanted to face west, toward California.<ref name="capitol-bs"/> Two teams of military [[pallbearer]]s carried the casket up the steps of the Capitol to "[[The Battle Hymn of the Republic]]".<ref name="cspan-9"/><ref name="capitol-bs"/>

When the casket reached the top of the steps, Nancy Reagan and her military escort met it. As the casket passed them, Nancy momentarily pulled away from her escort, reached out, and touched the casket.<ref name="capitol-bs">{{cite news|url=http://fox59.trb.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.reagan10jun10,1,3106850.story |title=A nation pays its respects |author=Davis, Julie Hirschfield |access-date=2008-05-03 |work=The Baltimore Sun |publisher=Fox News, Channel 59 Inndianapolis |date=June 10, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612195223/http://fox59.trb.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.reagan10jun10%2C1%2C3106850.story |archive-date=June 12, 2008 }}</ref> They followed it inside to the [[United States Capitol rotunda|rotunda]].

The casket was placed under the rotunda, where it lay in state on [[Lincoln Catafalque|Abraham Lincoln's catafalque]].<ref name="thousands gather"/> An evening [[memorial service]] then took place, with dignitaries primarily composed of [[Member of Congress|Members of Congress]], members of the [[Supreme Court of the United States|United States Supreme Court]], and the [[diplomatic corps]];<ref name="service-cnn">{{cite news|publisher=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/09/reagan.main/index.html|title=Reagan's body lies in state|date=June 10, 2004|access-date=2008-05-03|author=Loughlin, Sean}}</ref> the Reverend [[Daniel Coughlin]], [[Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives|Chaplain of the House of Representatives]], gave the invocation.<ref name="speakers">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29743-2004Jun9.html|title=GOP Leaders Eulogize The 40th President |author=Dewar, Helen and Charles Babington|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=2008-05-03|date=June 10, 2004}}</ref> Eulogies were then delivered by [[President pro tempore of the United States Senate|Senate President pro tempore]] [[Ted Stevens]], [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|House Speaker]] [[Dennis Hastert]], and [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Dick Cheney]].<ref name="speakers"/>

After the eulogies, the three speakers each laid a wreath at the casket, and the [[Chaplain of the United States Senate|Senate Chaplain]], Pastor [[Barry Black]], gave the benediction.<ref name="speakers"/> Cheney escorted Nancy Reagan to the casket, where she said her goodbyes.<ref name="speakers"/> The dignitaries in the room paid their respects during the next half-hour. In a rare instance, the doors of the Capitol were then opened to the public, who stood in lines stretching many blocks to view the casket.<ref name="thousands gather">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/10/reagan.main/index.html|title=Thousands pay tribute to Reagan|access-date=2008-04-20|date=June 11, 2004 | publisher=CNN}}</ref>
[[File:RonaldReaganFuneralCard.jpg|thumb|[[In memoriam card]] given to members of the public at the public viewing for Ronald Reagan]]

====Public viewing====
The general public stood in long lines waiting for a turn to pay their respects to the president. About 5,000 per hour passed the casket, after waiting up to seven hours. In all, 104,684 paid their respects when Reagan lay in state.<ref>Lak, Daniel. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3793065.stm "Reagan lies in state at Capitol"]. BBC, June 11, 2004. Retrieved 2008-03-09.</ref><ref>[http://www.uscapitolpolice.gov/pressreleases/2004/pr_06-11-04.php "United States Capitol Police Press Releases: Lying In State for former President Reagan"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927071913/http://www.uscapitolpolice.gov/pressreleases/2004/pr_06-11-04.php |date=2007-09-27 }}. United States Capitol Police. Retrieved 2008-03-09</ref>

After returning to Washington following the [[30th G8 summit|G8 summit]] in [[Sea Island, Georgia]], President [[George W. Bush]] and First Lady [[Laura Bush]] visited the rotunda to pay their respects.<ref name="visits-fox">{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/president-bush-tens-of-thousands-visit-casket|title=President Bush, Tens of Thousands Visit Casket|date=June 10, 2004|access-date=2008-05-03|publisher=Fox News Channel|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Many world leaders did the same, including interim Iraqi president [[Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer|Ghazi al-Yawer]], former [[Poland|Polish]] president [[Lech Wałęsa]], Gorbachev, and Thatcher, Reagan's good friend and associate.<ref name="visits-fox"/>

While Reagan's casket lay in state, Nancy Reagan and her family took up temporary residence in [[Blair House]], the official residence of guests of the president of the United States.<ref name="visits-fox"/> There, she was greeted by additional dignitaries and public figures. During a visit from Thatcher, the former prime minister wrote in the [[Blair House]] condolence book, "To Ronnie, Well done, thou good and faithful servant."<ref name="visits-fox"/>

===State funeral service===
[[File:REAGANWNC.jpg|thumb|right|Reagan's casket is carried into the [[Washington National Cathedral]], June 11.]]
[[File:Mulroney Thatcher and Gorbachev at Reagan's funeral.jpg|thumb|[[Yasuhiro Nakasone]] (far left), [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] (second from left), [[Brian Mulroney]] (center), and [[Margaret Thatcher]] (right) attend the service.]]
[[File:REAGANBUSHEULOGY2.jpg|thumb|right|President Bush delivers a eulogy.]]
After 34 hours of lying in state, the doors of the Capitol were closed to the public and Nancy Reagan was escorted in, where she had a moment alone with the casket. A military honor guard entered and carried it down the west steps of the Capitol to a [[21-gun salute]] where Nancy, holding her hand over her heart, met it.<ref name="departing-wapo">{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34105-2004Jun11.html|title=Thousands Bid Farewell to Reagan in Funeral Service |author=Branigin, William|date=June 11, 2004|access-date=2008-05-04}}</ref> After it was placed in a hearse, the motorcade departed on the five-mile-trip (8&nbsp;km) to the [[Washington National Cathedral]], where the state funeral service was to be held; crowds lined the route of the cortege as the hearse made its way.<ref name="departing-wapo"/>

====Dignitaries====
About 4,000 people gathered at the cathedral for the service, including President and Mrs. Bush, former presidents [[George H. W. Bush|George H. W.]] and [[Barbara Bush]], [[Gerald Ford|Gerald]] and [[Betty Ford]], [[Jimmy Carter|Jimmy]] and [[Rosalynn Carter]], and [[Bill Clinton|Bill]] and [[Hillary Clinton]]. Members of Congress and past and present governors were also present.<ref name="guest list"/>

Foreign dignitaries attended as well, coming from 167 nations. The dignitaries included more than 40 past and present heads of state and government, [[Secretary-General of the United Nations|UN Secretary General]] [[Kofi Annan]] and [[President of the European Commission]], [[Romano Prodi]]. Leading the dignitaries were former [[president of the Soviet Union]], [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], former [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister of the United Kingdom]], [[Margaret Thatcher]], former [[Prime Minister of Canada|prime minister of Canada]], [[Brian Mulroney]], and the [[Prince of Wales]], [[Charles III|Prince Charles]] (representing Queen [[Elizabeth II]]).<ref name="guest list">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3795653.stm|title=Reagan funeral guest list|publisher=BBC|date=June 10, 2004|access-date=2008-05-03}}</ref>

Other notable world leaders included: Canadian [[governor general]] [[Adrienne Clarkson]], [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] [[Tony Blair]] and his wife [[Cherie Blair|Cherie]], [[Chancellor of Germany (1949–)|German Chancellor]] [[Gerhard Schröder]], [[Russia]]n President [[Vladimir Putin]], [[Japan]]ese prime minister [[Junichiro Koizumi]], former [[Prime Minister of Japan|Japanese prime minister]] [[Yasuhiro Nakasone]], former [[President of France|French president]] [[Valéry Giscard d'Estaing]], former [[President of Poland|Polish president]] [[Lech Wałęsa]], former Finnish president [[Mauno Koivisto]], Romanian president [[Ion Iliescu]], Latvian president [[Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga]], acting president of Lithuania [[Artūras Paulauskas]], [[Prime Minister of Italy|Italian prime minister]] [[Silvio Berlusconi]], King [[Abdullah II of Jordan]], [[Governor-General of Australia]] [[Michael Jeffery (Australian Army officer)|Michael Jeffery]],<ref>http://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-06-08/g-g-to-attend-reagans-funeral/1988932|ABC News Australia - G-G to attend Reagan's funeral - Retrieved 20170630</ref> [[Turkey|Turkish]] prime minister [[Recep Tayyip Erdogan]] as well as interim presidents [[Hamid Karzai]] of Afghanistan and [[Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer|Ghazi al-Yawer]] of Iraq, [[Czech Republic|Czech]] president [[Václav Klaus]] and his predecessor [[Václav Havel]], Cypriot president [[Tassos Papadopoulos]], [[South Africa]]n president [[Thabo Mbeki]] and [[President of Ireland|Irish president]] [[Mary McAleese]].<ref name="guest list"/> Prodi, Blair, Schröder, Berlusconi, Putin, Karzai, King Abdullah, Erdogan, al-Yawer, Mbeki and many others had been at the G8 summit in Sea Island, Georgia, and later decided to extend their stay in the U.S. to attend the funeral. Schröder said about attending the funeral: "It is appropriate that the German chancellor says, 'Thank you,' and that is what I'm doing.'"<ref name="Funeral"/> For Karzai, the funeral was part of his week-long visit to the U.S. and it was the beginning of his visit to Washington. He scrapped a visit to the West Coast to visit the [[Afghan Americans|Afghan community]] there to attend the funeral.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nancy says goodbye; She touched her cheek on coffin draped in US flag|last=Low|first=Valentine|newspaper=Evening Standard [London (UK)]|date=8 June 2004|page=17|quote=A planned appearance by Afghan president Hamid Karzai in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon was postponed indefinitely.}}</ref> World leaders who attended the summit, but decided not to extend their stay in the U.S. to attend the funeral, paid tribute at the summit, including Canadian prime minister [[Paul Martin]], French president [[Jacques Chirac]] and Irish prime minister [[Bertie Ahern]], also president of the [[European Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nndb.com/group/414/000179874/ |title=Funeral: Ronald Reagan (2004) |publisher=Nndb.com |access-date=2013-01-15}}</ref> McAleese's presence had special significance, as she paid tribute to Reagan's Irish roots, recalling his visit to Ireland in 1984.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ahern salutes a 'determined opponent of communism'|last=Beesley|first=Arthur|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=June 7, 2004|page=11|quote='President Reagan was proud of his Irish heritage and during his time in the White House, he celebrated St Patrick's Day with great ceremony. In 1984, President Reagan visited Ireland, an occasion still remembered with great fondness by many here.'}}</ref> In addition, [[Taiwan]]'s [[president of the Control Yuan]] [[Fredrick Chien]] and Representative [[Chen Chien-jen (born 1939)|Chen Chien-jen]] attended the funeral.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2004/06/11/2003174588|title=Taiwan pays respects to Reagan's memory - Taipei Times|website=www.taipeitimes.com|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>

The funeral for Reagan was the largest in the United States since [[State funeral of John F. Kennedy|that of John F. Kennedy]] in 1963.<ref name="Funeral">{{cite news|title=He showed us what a president should be|last=Koring|first=Paul|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=June 12, 2004|page=A20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=State funeral for Reagan expected to rival JFK's|last=Koring|first=Paul|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=June 7, 2004|page=A1|quote=After almost a week of mourning, Americans will bid a final farewell to former president Ronald Reagan with a full state funeral Friday, an event expected to be the largest ceremonial occasion in the U.S. capital since the [[State funeral of John F. Kennedy|funeral of John F. Kennedy]] more than 40 years ago.}}</ref> President Kennedy's daughter, [[Caroline Kennedy|Caroline]], and her husband, [[Edwin Schlossberg]], both attended.<ref>{{cite news|title=Service Draws a Mix of the Elite, Some Solemn, Some Social|last=Seelye|first=Katharine|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 12, 2004|page=A10|quote=Caroline Kennedy...seemed to pass unnoticed...as she and her husband, Edwin A. Schlossberg...Now 46, Ms. Kennedy was just turning 6 at the time of the state funeral for her father in 1963.}}</ref>

====Cathedral events====
The motorcade arrived at the Cathedral and Reagan's casket was removed. The bearers carrying it paused on the Cathedral steps, and an opening prayer was given by [[List of bishops of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Bishop]] [[John Bryson Chane]], Dean of the Washington National Cathedral.<ref name=sf>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0406/11/se.01.html|title=The State Funeral of Ronald Reagan|publisher=CNN|date=June 11, 2004|access-date=2008-05-04}}</ref> The casket was then carried down the aisle; the Reagan family followed and Nancy Reagan was escorted to her seat by President Bush. [[Rabbi]] [[Harold Kushner]] and [[Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States|United States Supreme Court Associate Justice]] [[Sandra Day O'Connor]] (the first female Supreme Court justice, whom Reagan appointed), then each gave a reading, which preceded the [[eulogy|eulogies]]. O'Connor read the [[City upon a Hill]] text, which was noted by Reagan in many speeches of his.<ref name=sf/> The choir then sang hymns—"[[Faire is the heaven|Faire is the Heaven]]"; "O Love of God, How Strong and True", "Bring Us, O Lord"; "And I saw a New Heaven"<ref name=music>{{cite web|url=http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/pdfs/servicemusic040611.pdf |title=Preludal Music & Texts of the Anthems, Hymns & Solos Performed During the Funeral Service for Ronald Wilson Reagan at Washington National Cathedral |access-date=2008-05-04 |date=June 10, 2004 |publisher=Office of the Director of Music, Washington National Cathedral |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528010601/http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/pdfs/servicemusic040611.pdf |archive-date=2008-05-28 }}</ref>—before Thatcher delivered the first eulogy. In view of her failing mental faculties following several small strokes, the message had been pre-recorded several months earlier and was broadcast throughout the Cathedral on [[plasma television]] screens. During the speech, Thatcher said, "We have lost a great president, a great American and a great man, and I have lost a dear friend."<ref name=sf/>

Following Thatcher's eulogy, Mulroney delivered his, ending with: "In the presence of his beloved and indispensable Nancy, his children, his family, his friends and all of the American people that he so deeply revered, I say ''au revoir'' today to a gifted leader and historic president and a gracious human being."<ref name=sf/>

Former president George H. W. Bush then spoke, his voice breaking at one point when describing Reagan;<ref name=sf/> Bush had been Reagan's [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]] from 1981 to 1989, and his successor as president. His son, President George W. Bush, was the last to give a eulogy, saying in part, "Ronald Reagan belongs to the ages now, but we preferred it when he belonged to us... In his last years he saw through a glass darkly. Now he sees his Savior face to face. And we look for that fine day when we will see him again, all weariness gone, clear of mind, strong and sure and smiling again, and the sorrow of this parting gone forever."<ref name=sf/>

The Armed Forces Chorus (LTC John Clanton, Conductor) then sang "[[The Battle Hymn of the Republic]]" and Cardinal [[Theodore Edgar McCarrick]], [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington|Catholic Archbishop of Washington]], delivered a Bible reading from the [[Gospel of Matthew]].<ref name=sf/> The celebrant, former [[Missouri]] Senator the Reverend [[John Danforth]], delivered the homily<ref>{{cite news|title=Text of Danforth homily|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-06-11-danforth-text_x.htm|agency=Associated Press|work=USA Today|date=June 11, 2004|access-date=2008-05-04}}</ref> and Irish tenor [[Ronan Tynan]] sang songs such as "[[Ave Maria (musical settings)|Ave Maria]]" and "[[Amazing Grace]]" at the request of Nancy Reagan.<ref name="departing-wapo"/> The Reverend Ted Eastman, former [[Episcopal Diocese of Maryland|bishop of Maryland]], delivered the benediction, flanked by Father Danforth and Bishop Chane.

===Interment at the Reagan Library===
[[File:US Navy 040611-N-6811L-025 Ceremonial Honor Guardsmen escort the flag draped casket of former President Ronald Reagan.jpg|thumb|right|The memorial service at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library]]
[[File:Nancy Reagan says final goodbyes to RR June 11, 2004.jpg|thumb|[[Nancy Reagan]] with Reagan's casket just before the interment]]
[[File:US Navy 040611-N-1450G-059 Former First Lady Nancy Reagan holds onto the flag that covered former President Ronald Reagan's casket as she departs.jpg|thumb|Nancy Reagan leaving the gravesite]]
[[File:Reagan Library 6-2011 (5857319497).jpg|thumb|Reagan's tomb]]

====Return to California====
After the service, the casket was driven to Andrews Air Force Base, passing crowds along its route.<ref name="king">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35593-2004Jun11.html|title=Reagan Hailed as Leader for 'the Ages'|access-date=2008-05-22|date=June 12, 2004|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Von Drehle, David}}</ref> The family and close friends boarded the [[Air Force One|VC 25-A Presidential Aircraft]],<ref name="rr-bbc">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3800315.stm|publisher=BBC|access-date=2008-06-05|date=June 12, 2004|title=Private burial for Ronald Reagan}}</ref> and as she had done previously, Nancy Reagan waved farewell to the crowds just before boarding the plane.

About five hours after the aircraft departed Andrews, it touched down at [[Naval Base Ventura County]], [[Point Mugu, California]]. The public, including sailors from the [[USS Ronald Reagan|USS ''Ronald Reagan'']], was there to witness the plane's arrival.<ref name="rr-cbs">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-nation-bids-reagan-farewell/|title=A Nation Bids Reagan Farewell|access-date=2008-06-05|date=June 11, 2004|publisher=CBS|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Reagan's body was driven in a large motorcade through the streets of southern California.

====Burial service====
The service drew 700 invited guests, including former Reagan administration officials such as [[George P. Shultz]], and noted dignitaries; [[Margaret Thatcher]], who traveled on the plane from Washington, sat next to [[Governor of California|California Governor]] [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]<ref name="rr-msnbc"/> and his wife, [[Maria Shriver]]; former California governor [[Pete Wilson]] was in attendance, as well as former Los Angeles Mayor [[Richard Riordan]].<ref name="rr-bbc"/> [[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]] actors and other celebrities also attended, including Mr. Reagan's first wife, actress [[Jane Wyman]], their granddaughter Margaret, [[Kirk Douglas]], [[Charlton Heston]], [[Mickey Rooney]], [[Dolores Hope]] (widow of [[Bob Hope]]), [[Merv Griffin]], [[Tommy Lasorda]], [[Wayne Gretzky]], [[Scott Baio]], [[Bo Derek]], [[Tom Selleck]], [[Pat Sajak]], [[Wayne Newton]], and the [[Frank Sinatra|Sinatra]] family.<ref name="rr-msnbc"/><ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0406/11/se.01.html "The State Funeral of Ronald Reagan"] CNN Live Coverage Transcripts, June 11, 2004.</ref> The three surviving Reagan children, [[Michael Reagan|Michael]], [[Patti Davis|Patti]], and [[Ron Reagan|Ron]], gave final eulogies at the interment ceremony.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-06-12-children-eulogies_x.htm|title=Reagan's children's eulogy remarks|work=USA Today|date=June 12, 2004}}</ref>

Eulogies finished, and the service over, the [[United States Air Force Band of the Golden West|Air Force Band of the Golden West]] played four "[[ruffles and flourishes]]", and the [[United States Army Chorus|U.S. Army Chorus]] sang "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]". Bagpiper [[Eric Rigler]] played "Amazing Grace" as the casket was moved to its [[grave|grave site]] and placed on a [[plinth]].<ref name="rr-bbc"/> There, burial rites were given, followed by a last 21-gun salute;<ref name="rr-msnbc"/> members of the armed services [[Three-volley salute|fired three volleys]] and a bugler played "[[Taps (bugle call)|Taps]]".<ref name="rr-msnbc"/> At that time, four Navy [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18]] fighter jets flew over in [[missing man formation]],<ref name="rr-bbc"/><ref name="rr-msnbc"/> and the flag that flew over the Capitol during [[First inauguration of Ronald Reagan|President Reagan's 1981 inauguration]] was folded by the honor guard and was presented to Nancy Reagan by Captain [[James Symonds]], the commanding officer of the [[USS Ronald Reagan|USS ''Ronald Reagan'']].<ref name="rr-cbs"/>

After Nancy Reagan accepted the flag, she approached the casket and spent several minutes patting and stroking it.<ref name="rr-bbc"/> She laid her head down on the casket, before breaking down and crying; ''[[The Washington Post]]'' described Nancy as having been "stoic through nearly a week of somber rituals" but she "surrendered to her grief after being handed the flag that had covered her husband's coffin."<ref name="king"/> While she cried, she kissed the casket and said "I love you".<ref name="rr-msnbc">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5144264|title=Sun sets as Reagan laid to rest in California|publisher=MSNBC|date=June 12, 2004|access-date=2008-06-05|agency=Associated Press|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725144314/https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5144264/|archive-date=July 25, 2008}}</ref> Her children surrounded her, and attempted to console her.<ref name="rr-msnbc"/> Nancy then walked away with her military escort, clutching the folded flag. The [[United States Army Band|military band]] began to play the Victorian hymn "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" as the Reagan children said their goodbyes. Funeral attendees had an opportunity to file past the [[coffin]].

The casket was lowered into the vault and closed at 3:00&nbsp;am [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] the next day. The exterior of the horseshoe-shaped monument is inscribed with a quote Ronald Reagan delivered in 1991:<ref name="rr-msnbc"/>{{blockquote|I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph, and there is purpose and worth to each and every life.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/06/12/president_laid_to_rest_in_sunset_services/|title=President laid to rest in sunset services|last1=Hutcheson|first1=Ron|first2=Dawn C.|last2=Chmielewski|newspaper=Boston Globe|access-date=2008-06-05|date=June 12, 2004}}</ref>}}

When Nancy Reagan died in 2016, she was entombed next to her husband.

==Attending guests==

===American politicians===
Thousands of American politicians attended the funeral, including:
* President [[George W. Bush]] and First Lady [[Laura Bush]]
* Former president [[Bill Clinton]] and [[New York State Senate|New York]] Senator [[Hillary Clinton]]
* Former president and former vice president [[George H. W. Bush]] (Reagan's vice president) and former first lady [[Barbara Bush]]
* Former president [[Jimmy Carter]] (Reagan's [[1980 United States presidential election|1980 election]] opponent) and former first lady [[Rosalynn Carter]]
* Former president and former vice president [[Gerald Ford]] and former first lady [[Betty Ford]]
* Former first lady [[Nancy Reagan]] (Reagan's widow)
* Vice President [[Dick Cheney]] and Second Lady [[Lynne Cheney]]
* Former vice president [[Al Gore]] and former second lady [[Tipper Gore]]
* Former vice president [[Dan Quayle]] and former second lady [[Marilyn Quayle]]
* Former vice president [[Walter Mondale]] (Reagan's [[1984 United States presidential election|1984 election]] opponent)
* [[Governor of California|California Governor]] [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]
* Former [[California]] [[Governor of California|Governors]] [[Jerry Brown]] and [[Pete Wilson]]
* Former Virginia senator and governor [[Chuck Robb]] and [[Lynda Bird Johnson Robb]] (Representing her mother [[First Lady of the United States|Former First Lady]]; [[Lady Bird Johnson]])<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lord |first1=Debbie |title=Who will be attending George H.W. Bush's funeral? |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/national/who-will-attending-george-bush-funeral/9XS4wpBeIHKko2pZKVD04N/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184503/https://www.ajc.com/news/national/who-will-attending-george-bush-funeral/9XS4wpBeIHKko2pZKVD04N/ |archive-date=9 July 2021 |access-date=21 November 2020 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |publisher=Cox Media Group}}</ref>
* Former [[Los Angeles]] mayor [[Richard Riordan]]
* Secretary of State [[Colin Powell]]
* Former Secretaries of State [[Henry Kissinger]], [[George Shultz]] and [[Warren Christopher]]
* Past and present [[United States Congress|US Congress]] members
* Past and present [[United States Senate|US Senate]] members

===Foreign dignitaries===
Such a large number of foreign dignitaries had not attended a United States president's [[state funeral]] since the 1963 [[State Funeral of John F. Kennedy|funeral of President John F. Kennedy]]. There were nearly 250 international delegates coming from 167 countries presented at the service, which included more than 45 current or former world leaders and 30 governmental representatives.

Delegations in attendance included:
* {{flag|United Nations}}: Secretary-general [[Kofi Annan]], President of the General Assembly [[Jean Ping]]
* {{flag|UNESCO}}: Director-general [[Koichiro Matsuura]]
* {{flag|European Union}}: President of the Commission [[Romano Prodi]]
* {{flag|NATO}}: Deputy Secretary General [[Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo]]
* {{flag|OAS}}: Secretary General [[César Gaviria]]
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: [[Charles III|Charles, Prince of Wales]], Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]], wife [[Cherie Blair]] and former prime minister [[Margaret Thatcher]]
* {{flag|CIS}}: Secretary General [[Vladimir Rushailo]]
* {{flag|Canada}}: Governor General [[Adrienne Clarkson]], former prime minister [[Brian Mulroney]], wife [[Mila Mulroney]]
* {{flag|Mexico}}: President [[Vicente Fox]], wife [[Marta Sahagún]], Foreign Minister [[Luis Ernesto Derbez]]
* {{flag|Peru}}: Former president [[Alberto Fujimori]]
* {{flag|Chile}}: Deputy President [[Michelle Bachelet]]
* {{flag|Australia}}: Governor General [[Michael Jeffery (Australian Army officer)|Michael Jeffery]]
* {{flag|New Zealand}}: Governor-General [[Dame Silvia Cartwright]]
* {{flag|Marshall Islands}}: President [[Kessai Note]]
* {{flag|Vanuatu}}: Prime Minister [[Ham Lini]]
* {{flag|Japan}}: Former prime minister [[Yasuhiro Nakasone]]
* {{flag|South Korea|1997}}: Foreign Minister [[Lee Hai-chan]]
* {{flag|China}}: Foreign Minister [[Li Zhaoxing]]
* {{flag|Israel}}: Prime Minister [[Shimon Peres]]
* {{flag|Germany}}: Chancellor [[Gerhard Schroeder]], former chancellor [[Helmut Kohl]]
* {{flag|Austria}}: Chancellor [[Wolfgang Schüssel]]
* {{flag|Switzerland}}: Former president [[Adolf Ogi]]
* {{flag|Romania}}: President [[Ion Iliescu]]
* {{flag|Italy|2003}}: Prime Minister [[Silvio Berlusconi]]
* {{flag|France|1974}}: Prime Minister [[Jean-Pierre Raffarin]], Foreign Minister [[Michel Barnier]], former president [[Valery Giscard d'Estaing]]
* {{flag|Denmark}}: Crown Prince [[Frederik X|Frederik]], former prime minister [[Poul Schlüter]]
* {{flag|Norway}}: Prime Minister [[Jens Stoltenberg]]
* {{flag|Sweden}}: Deputy Prime Minister [[Lars Engqvist]]
* {{flag|Hungary}}: Former prime minister [[Viktor Orbán]]
* {{flag|Soviet Union}}: Former general-secretary and president [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]
* {{flag|Poland}}: Former president [[Lech Wałęsa]]
* {{flag|Slovakia}}: President [[Rudolf Schuster]], President-elect [[Ivan Gašparovič]]
* {{flag|Slovenia}}: President [[Janez Drnovšek]]
* {{flag|Finland}}: Prime Minister [[Matti Vanhanen]], former president [[Mauno Koivisto]]
* {{flag|Turkey}}: Prime Minister [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]]
* {{flag|Greece}}: Former king [[Constantine II of Greece|Constantine II]]
* {{flag|Spain}}: [[Felipe VI of Spain|Felipe, Prince of Asturias]]
* {{flag|Estonia}}: Prime Minister [[Andrus Ansip]], former president [[Lennart Meri]]
* {{flag|Bulgaria}}: Former president [[Zhelyu Zhelev]]
* {{flag|Portugal}}: President of the Parliament [[João Bosco Mota Amaral]]
* {{flag|Lithuania}}: Acting president [[Artūras Paulauskas]]
* {{flag|Russia}}: President [[Vladimir Putin]]
* {{flag|Netherlands}}: Foreign Minister [[Hans van den Broek]]
* {{flag|Afghanistan|2002}}: President [[Hamid Karzai]]
* {{flag|Iraq|1991}}: President [[Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer]]
* {{flag|Iran}}: Former Shahbanu [[Farah Pahlavi]]
* {{flag|Egypt}}: Foreign Minister [[Ahmad Maher (diplomat)|Ahmed Maher]]
* {{flag|Ghana}}: President [[John Kufuor]]
* {{flag|Monaco}}: Hereditary Prince [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Albert]]
* {{flag|Belgium}}: Crown Prince [[Philippe of Belgium|Philippe]]
* {{flag|Luxembourg}}: Sovereign Grand Duke [[Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Henri]]
* {{flag|Liechtenstein}}: Deputy Prime Minister [[Adrian Hasler]]
* {{flag|Jordan}}: King [[Abdullah II of Jordan|Abdullah II]], Queen [[Queen Rania of Jordan|Rania]]
* {{flag|India}}: Foreign Minister [[K. Natwar Singh]]
* {{flag|Pakistan}}: President of the Senate [[Mohammadmian Soomro]]
* {{flag|Uganda}}: President [[Yoweri Museveni]]
* {{flag|Ireland}}: President [[Mary McAleese]]
* {{flag|Iceland}}: Prime Minister [[Davíð Oddsson]]
* {{flag|Czech Republic}}: President [[Václav Klaus]], former president [[Václav Havel]]
* {{flag|Cyprus|1960}}: President [[Tassos Papadopoulos]]
* {{flag|Bahrain}}: King [[Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa]]
* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}: Prince [[Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud|Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdel-Aziz al Saud]]
* {{flag|South Africa}}: President [[Thabo Mbeki]]
* {{flag|Nigeria}}: President [[Olusegun Obasanjo]]
* {{flag|Algeria}}: President [[Abdelaziz Bouteflika]]
* {{flag|Ivory Coast}}: President [[Laurent Gbagbo]]
* {{flag|Latvia}}: President [[Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga]]
* {{flag|Rwanda}}: President [[Paul Kagame]]
* {{flag|Senegal}}: President [[Abdoulaye Wade]]
* {{flag|Bolivia}}: President [[Evo Morales]]
* {{flag|Taiwan}}: President of the Control Yuan [[Fredrick Chien]], representative to the U.S. [[Chen Chien-jen (born 1939)|Chen Chien-jen]]
* {{flag|Grenada}}: Prime Minister [[Keith Mitchell]], former governor general [[Paul Scoon]]
* {{flag|Yemen}}: President [[Ali Abdullah Saleh]]
* {{flag|Haiti}}: Prime Minister [[Gerard Latortue]]
* {{flag|Brazil}}: Former president [[José Sarney]]
* {{flag|Philippines}}: Foreign Minister [[Delia Albert]]
* {{flag|Palestine}}: President [[Mahmoud Abbas]]
* {{flag|Vatican City}}: Secretary of State [[Angelo Sodano]]

Eminent persons and envoys from [[Hong Kong]], [[Moldova]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Azerbaijan]], and others were also present, along with more than 200 diplomats and ambassadors.

===Celebrities===

Many celebrities attended the event, such as the [[Frank Sinatra|Sinatra]] family, TV personality [[Merv Griffin]], and [[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|''Wheel of Fortune'']] host [[Pat Sajak]].

==Music==
Music played during the week-long events included four [[ruffles and flourishes]], "[[Hail to the Chief]]", "[[My Country, 'Tis of Thee]]", "[[The Battle Hymn of the Republic]]", "[[Amazing Grace]]", "[[Eternal Father, Strong to Save]]" (also known as "The Navy Hymn"), "God of Our Fathers", "[[Mansions of the Lord]]", "[[God Bless America]]", "[[America the Beautiful]]", "[[Goin' Home (composition)|Going Home]]", and "On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss" by David Holsinger.<ref name="music"/><ref name="rr-bbc"/><ref name="rr-msnbc"/> The US Marine Orchestra was conducted by Colonel Timothy Foley and the Armed Forces Chorus was conducted by Lieutenant Colonel John Clanton.

==Security measures==
The state funeral marked the first time that Washington had hosted a major event since [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001]].<ref name="Security"/> As a result, the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]] (DHS) designated the state funeral a [[National Special Security Event]] (NSSE).<ref name="security">{{cite web|title=Planning and Operations for Special Events in Washington, D.C.&nbsp;– WWII Memorial Dedication and the Funeral of President Ronald Reagan|access-date=2008-06-12|publisher=United States Department of Transportation&nbsp;– Federal Highway Administration|last=Baldwin|first=Craig|url=https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/program_areas/conf1204/breakout_session2.htm}}</ref> Special precautions were taken, since many of the events were open to the public and there were multiple protectees.<ref name="security"/>

Attorney General [[John Ashcroft]] told a [[United States Senate|Senate]] hearing before the funeral: "It is a sad commentary when the observation of a memorial service for a former president of the United States must be labeled a National Special Security Event. Such is the fact of modern life in Washington and such is the nature of the [[war against al Qaeda]]."<ref>{{cite news|title=PAULA ZAHN NOW; The Other Victims of Alzheimer's Disease; Images of Ronald Reagan|date=June 8, 2004|access-date=August 31, 2011|work=CNN Transcripts|publisher=CNN.com |url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/pzn/date/2004-06-08/segment/01}}</ref> [[Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C.|MPDC]] [[Charles H. Ramsey]] agreed, saying, "In a post-9/11 world, we have to be very concerned and aware of the potential for something to happen, not that we've received any information at all."<ref name="Security">{{cite news|title=Funeral Security to Have 9/11 Edge|first=Johanna|last=Neuman|first2=Elizabeth|last2=Shogren|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=June 8, 2004|page=A24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Public Viewing to Last 34 Hours|first=Caryle|last=Murphy|first2=Sari|last2=Horwitz|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 8, 2004|page=A01}}</ref> Ashcroft and other officials at DHS, the MPDC, and FBI said that the funeral was taking place amidst threats of a terrorist attack.<ref name="Security"/>

[[Frank Sesno]], former CNN White House correspondent during the Reagan White House years, said that the security measures during the funeral reflected on the fact that the age of terrorism was rooted during the Reagan years.<ref name="Sesno">{{cite news|title=CNN Live Event/Special Washington Prepares For State Funeral of President Ronald Reagan|date=June 9, 2004|access-date=October 17, 2022|work=CNN Transcripts|publisher=CNN.com |url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/se/date/2004-06-09/segment/02}}</ref> The deadliest act of terrorism against the United States before 9/11 happened during the Reagan years with the bombing of [[Pan Am Flight 103]] over [[Lockerbie, Scotland]], which killed 189 Americans.<ref name="Sesno"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Still searching for answers, 25 years after Lockerbie|last=English|first=Bella|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=December 21, 2013|page=A1|quote=Pan Am Flight 103...was the deadliest terrorist attack on American civilians until Sept. 11, 2001.}}</ref>

DHS was handling another NSSE at the same time: the [[30th G8 Summit|G8 Summit]] in [[Sea Island, Georgia]].

==Public and media comments==
The majority of those commemorating Reagan were supporters of his, although not all held the 40th president in high regard. In one noted example, Paul Mays, a retired engineer who never thought much of Reagan's politics, witnessed the motorcade leave the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base; he commented "This is history".<ref name="account4">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2004/06/10/AR2005033113593_4.html|title=A Final Journey Through Washington: Outside Andrews, a Crowd Gathers to See History|page=4|last=Schwartzman|first=Paul|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 10, 2004}}</ref> Frank Dubois, an American University professor, also was there for the motorcade, though of the laudatory praise he remarked, "[Reagan] hurt the environment; there was double-digit inflation. I just don't get it."<ref name="account4"/>

The majority of media coverage of the event was deferential. Most major news organizations broadcast the various events live multiple times; during the week, the cable channel [[C-SPAN]] broadcast uninterrupted coverage of the funeral ceremonies. A few complained, however, that the television coverage was excessive and preempted coverage of other events. [[CBS News]] [[news presenter|anchor]] [[Dan Rather]] was quoted as saying: "Even though everybody is respectful and wants to pay homage to the president, life does go on. There is other news, like the reality of Iraq. It got very short shrift this weekend."<ref>{{cite news|last=Shister|first=Gail|title=Network anchors see excess in Reagan funeral coverage|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=June 8, 2004|page=E01}}</ref> Throughout the week, media experts reported that the national mourning, televised nearly non-stop on many television networks, provided Americans welcome respite from unhappy reports that American troops were being killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, giving them a sense of good news they had been desperate for since the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0406/14/asb.00.html|title=CNN NEWSNIGHT AARON BROWN|date=June 14, 2004|access-date=August 25, 2011|publisher=CNN|quote=Last week was in an odd sort of way a welcomed respite, a trip back. The present returned today. It returned with news of an indictment, a suspect and an alleged plot against middle America.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0406/11/asb.00.html|title=CNN NEWSNIGHT AARON BROWN|date=June 11, 2004|access-date=September 17, 2012|publisher=CNN}}</ref>

Reagan's obituaries also included a few criticisms. Richard Goldstein of ''[[The Village Voice]]'' criticized the funeral for its careful orchestration, writing: "Because the networks had so long to plan for this production... this was the most precisely mounted news event in modern times. Each gesture was minutely choreographed, every tear strategically placed."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Goldstein |first=Richard |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0424,goldstein,54357,6.html |title=Das Rongold: Reagan's funeral as a Wagnerian opera |journal=The Village Voice |date=June 15, 2004 |access-date=2005-05-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051112081223/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0424%2Cgoldstein%2C54357%2C6.html |archive-date=November 12, 2005 }}</ref>

Additionally, some media outlets were criticized for lionizing Reagan without paying equal attention to more [[Reagan administration scandals|controversial decisions]] made during his administration. Thomas Kunkel, dean of the [[University of Maryland, College Park]]'s journalism college, wrote in ''A'' magazine that the coverage "would have you believe that Reagan was a cross between [[Abraham Lincoln|Abe Lincoln]] and [[Mother Teresa]], with an overlay of [[Fred Rogers|Mister Rogers]]."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Kunkel|first=Thomas|url=http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=3710|title=Fade-out|journal=American Journalism Review|date=August–September 2004|access-date=2005-08-25}}</ref> [[Howard Kurtz]], ''[[The Washington Post]]''{{'s}} media columnist, said Reagan was "a far more controversial figure in his time than the largely gushing obits on television would suggest."<ref>{{cite news|last=Kurtz|first=Howard|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21671-2004Jun7.html|title=Reagan: The Retake|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 7, 2004|access-date=2005-08-25}}</ref>

==Gallery==

{{Gallery
|title=
|align=center
|File:The funeral motorcade carrying the body of former US President Ronald Reagan arrives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, located at Simi Valley, California (CA) - DPLA - 6b461640953d719d73f5a26da0628c80.jpeg|Former president Ronald Reagan's hearse arrives at the [[Ronald Reagan Presidential Library]] on June 7, 2004.
|File:Reagan Library sign tributes.jpg|Mourners lay flowers and tributes in front of the Reagan Library's sign.
|File:CASKETLOADSINFRONTOFWHITEHOUSE.jpg|The casket of former president Ronald Reagan is transferred from a hearse to a caisson at [[16th Street NW|16th Street]] and [[Constitution Avenue]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] on June 9, 2004.
|File:Nancy Reagan applauded at Constitution Avenue.jpg|Former first lady [[Nancy Reagan]] on hand at 16th Street and Constitution Avenue to witness the transfer of her husband, Ronald Reagan's casket from hearse to caisson|File:US Navy 040609-N-1464F-010 The Old Guard of the Army's 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment transports the flag-draped casket of former President Ronald Reagan.jpg|A caisson bearing the casket of former president Ronald Reagan proceeding down Constitution Avenue en route to the [[United States Capitol]] building|File:Soldiers escort Reagan's casket.jpg|[[United States Army]] soldiers escort former President Ronald Reagan's casket to the United States Capitol Building.
|File:PresidentsWatchReaganCasketCarriedIntoCathedral.jpg|Then President [[George W. Bush]], his wife, [[Laura Bush]], then Vice President [[Dick Cheney]], his wife, [[Lynne Cheney]], former president [[Bill Clinton]] and his wife, then Senator [[Hillary Clinton]], watch the casket of former president Ronald Reagan carried into [[Washington National Cathedral]].
|File:CASKETLEAVESWNCINHEARSE.jpg|Honor guards carry the casket of former President Ronald Reagan to a waiting hearse outside of Washington National Cathedral.
|File:Joint Chiefs salute Ronald Reagan, June 11, 2004.jpg|Members of The [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] render a salute during the departure ceremony at [[Andrews Air Force Base]].
|File:US Navy 040611-N-6501M-019 Members of the Ceremonial Honor Guard carry the casket of former President Ronald W. Reagan after it is removed from the VC-25 Special Airlift Mission (SAM) 2800 747 aircraft.jpg|Honor and [[color guard]]s carry the casket of former president Ronald Reagan after it is removed from the [[Boeing VC-25]] [[Special Air Mission]] (SAM) 28000 in California.
|File:US Navy 040611-N-5362A-019 The Reverend Dr. Michael H. Wenning delivers an inspirational eulogy during a sunset interment service in honor of former President Ronald Reagan.jpg|The Reverend Dr. Michael H. Wenning delivering a eulogy during a sunset interment service at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in [[Simi Valley, California]], on June 11, 2004|File:US Navy 040607-N-2788L-191 Machinist Mate 2nd Class Thomas Waller, from Lexington, Neb., writes a personal message in a book, which is going to be presented by USS Ronald Reagan's (CVN 76) Commanding Officer, Capt. James A. Sym.jpg|Aboard [[USS Ronald Reagan|USS ''Ronald Reagan'']], June 7, 2004: Navy sailor writes a personal message in book to be presented to Nancy Reagan during President Ronald Reagan's interment ceremony.
}}

==See also==
* [[State funerals in the United States]]<!--Death and state funeral articles of others are excluded per [[MOS:NOTSEEALSO]]. -->

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Death and state funeral of Ronald Reagan}}
'''Video coverage of the funeral'''
* [http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/ReaganFune Full video coverage on C-SPAN]
'''Newspaper and media coverage'''
* [http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/reagan CNN Coverage of the Passing of Ronald Reagan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327163718/http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/reagan/ |date=2009-03-27 }}
* [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/politics/specials/reagan/ Coverage in ''The Washington Post'']
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040613133605/http://www.reagan.msnbc.com/ MSNBC Coverage of the Passing of Ronald Reagan]
* [https://www.usatoday.com/news/reagan-obit.htm Coverage in ''USA Today'']
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/213195.stm BBC Reagan's Mixed White House Legacy]
* [http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/reagan_ronald CBC In Depth-Ronald Reagan]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040614190113/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1086442923948_115/ CTV Ronald Reagan-A Look Back]
'''Additional coverage and photos'''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050403233131/http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/programs/reagan/1.shtml State Funeral of Ronald Reagan-Washington National Cathedral]
* [https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/reagan Biography of Ronald Reagan from the White House]
'''Eyewitness accounts'''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034807/http://www.anotherronaldreagan.com/Contacts.html An Eyewitness Account by a Congressional Page: The Gipper & Me]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080511033850/http://www.suhor.com/burial_of_a_president.htm The Burial of a President&nbsp;– Details about Reagan's burial]
{{Clear}}

{{Ronald Reagan}}
{{Presidency of George W. Bush}}
{{Lain in State (USA)|state=collapsed}}
{{Portal bar|United States|Politics}}

{{Good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reagan, Ronald, Death and state funeral of}}
[[Category:Ronald Reagan]]
[[Category:2004 in the United States]]
[[Category:2004 in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Deaths by person in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:June 2004 in the United States]]
[[Category:State funerals in the United States]]
[[Category:Deaths and funerals of presidents of the United States]]
[[Category:Presidency of George W. Bush]]
[[Category:State funerals|Reagan, Ronald]]