State funeral for Edward Seaga set for June 23
Confirmation has come that the state funeral for former Prime Minister Edward Seaga is to be held on Sunday June 23.
Culture Minister Olivia Babsy Grange gave details of the funeral arrangements and related activities at a media briefing Monday afternoon at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Ms Grange said the service will be held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral on North Street in downtown, Kingston.
Responding to concerns about the size of the church for the funeral, Minister Grange said “it was a difficult decision to make but the family wanted the service to be held in a church, and so we will just have to make appropriate arrangements to accommodate as many persons as we can inside the church and outside of the church.”
Before the state funeral, she said Mr. Seaga’s body will lie in state at several locations beginning on June 10 at the Tivoli Gardens Community Centre from 10am-1pm; on Tuesday, June 11 at Denham Town Community Centre from 10am-1pm; and at the National Arena on Thursday, June 20 from 11am-2pm.
However, the casket will remain closed at the request of the family.
Mr. Seaga’s remains will be interred at National Heroes’ Park.
A period of mourning has been declared and will be observed from June 19 to June 22.
“It means that government will not have any social activities; official activities that were scheduled will be postponed where possible; travel will be limited by government officials and the flag will be flown half-mast,” Minister Grange explained.
The government is appealing to the public to also observe “a certain decorum during that period,” she said.
Mr. Seaga’s nine-night is to be held on Wednesday, June 5 in the Tivoli Gardens Square, begining at 7:30 pm