<P> Lying in state is the rare honor granted by the United States to a deceased official whereby his or her remains are placed in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington , D.C. , for public viewing . The casket is guarded by members of the armed forces . By regulation and custom , only Presidents , military commanders , and members of Congress are granted the honor of lying in state . Except for Presidents and former Presidents , the honor is not automatic . Not all those entitled to the honor have it accepted by their survivors . The first leader to receive this honor was Henry Clay , former Speaker of the House of Representatives , when he died in 1852 . Since then , the honor has been extended to 29 people , including eleven Presidents . </P>
<P> Lying in state is the rare honor granted by the United States to a deceased official whereby his or her remains are placed in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington , D.C. , for public viewing . The casket is guarded by members of the armed forces . By regulation and custom , only Presidents , military commanders , and members of Congress are granted the honor of lying in state . Except for Presidents and former Presidents , the honor is not automatic . Not all those entitled to the honor have it accepted by their survivors . The first leader to receive this honor was Henry Clay , former Speaker of the House of Representatives , when he died in 1852 . Since then , the honor has been extended to 29 people , including eleven Presidents . </P>
who has lay in state at the capitol
who has lay in state at the capitol
Presidents military commanders members of Congress
Presidents military commanders members of Congress