ATLANTA (AP) — The funeral for the late civil rights icon and congressman John Lewis will be held Thursday at Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, which the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once led.
Lewis’ family announced that the funeral will be private, but the public is invited to pay tribute over the coming days during a series of celebrations of Lewis’ life beginning Saturday in his hometown of Troy, Alabama. On Sunday morning, a processional will be held in which Lewis’ body will once more cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where he and other voting rights demonstrators were beaten 55 years ago on “Bloody Sunday.”
Lewis’ body will also lie in state at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta and the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Thursday that the public will be allowed to pay their respects in Washington to the longtime Georgia congressman Monday night and all day Tuesday.
Due to coronavirus precautions, Lewis will lie in state for public viewing at the top of the east front steps of the Capitol rather than in the Rotunda, and the public will file past on the East Plaza. Face masks will be required and social distancing will be enforced.
Lewis’ family has asked members of the public not to travel from across the country to pay their respects. Instead, they suggested people pay virtual tribute online using the hashtags #BelovedCommunity or #HumanDignity.
Lewis, 80, died last Friday, several months after he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. He served 17 terms in the U.S. House. Following the funeral at the Ebenezer Baptist Church Horizon Sanctuary, he will be interred at South View Cemetery in Atlanta.
Full Schedule of Memorial Services
Saturday – July 25:
A Service Celebrating the ‘Boy from Troy’
Where: Trojan Arena, Troy University
When: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CT
This ceremony is open to the public, but seating is limited. Participants must obtain a ticket in the parking lot of the arena upon arrival to enter the facility.
Due to the needs required to maintain social distancing, only 800 public seats are available. Attendees will be required to wear face and mouth coverings.
From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Congressman Lewis will lie in repose for public viewing at Trojan Arena.
Selma Honors Congressman John Robert Lewis: 1940-2020
Where: Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church
When: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CT
This event is not open to the public. Attendees will be required to wear face and mouth coverings.
Rep. Lewis will lie in repose at the church from 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
The public is welcome to the viewing. Face and mouth coverings are required.
Sunday – July 26:
“#GoodTrouble: Courage, Sacrifice & the Long March for Freedom”
Where: Selma and Mongtomery, Alabama
The Final Crossing of Edmund Pettus Bridge
When: 10:00 a.m. CT
The public is invited to view the processional as it travels from Brown Chapel to the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Attendees will be required to wear face and mouth coverings.
Receiving Ceremony to be held at Alabama State Capitol
Where: Front Entrance Hall State Capitol
When: 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. CT
Rep. Lewis will lie in state at the capitol from 3:00 p.m. — 7 p.m. CT. The viewing is open to the public. Face masks and mouth coverings are required.
Monday – July 27:
The Conscience of the Congress
Where: Washington, D.C.
Rep. Lewis will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol rotunda
Mon., July 27, 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tues., July 28, 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday – July 29:
Atlanta’s Servant Leader
Where: Georgia State Capitol rotunda
When: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Rep. Lewis will lie in state from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and again from 8:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Attendees will be required to wear face and mouth coverings.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Omega service will be held at the rotunda from 7:00 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Attendees will be required to wear face and mouth coverings.
Thursday – July 30:
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Ebenezer Baptist Church Horizon Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m.
The event is not open to the public.