By law, former U.S. Presidents are afforded a state funeral upon demise. The sitting President officially announces the demise of a former commander-in-chief and then joins the nation in offering condolences. The Secretary of Defense is then directed to conduct the funeral on behalf of the nation.

There are some formal traditions carried out in these services. The President, as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, is entitled to have the American flag draped over his casket as done with military veterans. A cannon salute of 21 rounds is a traditional military honor for a head of state.

The remains lie in repose at one or more of the selected places for public viewing, such as a church, presidential library or museum. This also includes appropriate arrival and departure ceremonies. The remains then lie in state, which means that they are kept overnight in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. The Honor Guard, made up of ceremonial detachments from all branches of the military, have presence at the lies in repose and state.

The main funeral procession begins at the Capitol and moves west along Constitution Avenue. The Old Guard Caisson Platoon of the Army’s 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment transports the remains during the procession. The caisson consists of six horses of the same color, three riders, and a section chief mounted on a separate horse. The caisson itself is a converted transport wagon for a 75mm cannon. A caparisoned horse is a riderless horse that follows the caisson. A pair of boots are reversed in the stirrups of the empty saddle to symbolize that the warrior will never ride again.