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Remembering George HW Bush: See Schedule of Memorial Services in DC

The public can pay their respects to Bush at the U.S. Capitol from Monday evening to Wednesday morning

What to Know

  • Late President George H.W. Bush will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol from 7:30 p.m. Monday to 8:45 a.m. Wednesday.
  • A funeral service will be held for Bush at the Washington National Cathedral at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
  • More services will be held for Bush in Texas before he is buried next to his wife at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

Washington, D.C., will hold several ceremonies and services this week to honor the late President George H.W. Bush before he is laid to rest in College Station, Texas.

The 41st president of the United States died Friday night at the age of 94 and was quickly remembered as a humble patriot, dedicated public servant and beloved family man.

See below for the schedule of local memorial events as well as information about road closures and prohibited items.

Monday: Arrival at Joint Base Andrews
Bush's remains arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Monday afternoon, followed by a brief arrival ceremony.

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Monday — Wednesday: U.S. Capitol Ceremony and Lying in State
Another arrival ceremony took place at the U.S. Capitol late Monday afternoon.

Bush is now lying in in state in the rotunda of the Capitol, where he will remain until 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday. Public viewing will continue through Tuesday and end at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

Police said people wishing to pay their respects should prepare for any possible bad weather as the lines will start outside.

Decades ago, News4's own Jim Vance got the chance to spend six hours fishing with then-President George H.W. Bush. "President Bush is one heck of a fisherman," Vance said. "I will never forget that day."

Visitors will enter through the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. They may not bring any flowers, sealed envelopes or other offerings into the U.S. Capitol or Capitol Visitor Center.

Police also said visitors must silence their phones and turn off any electronic devices. Photography and video recording are not allowed inside the rotunda, according to police.

Wednesday: Funeral at the National Cathedral, Departure
Bush's body will depart the Capitol at 10 a.m. Wednesday. There will be a service at the Washington National Cathedral in Northwest D.C. beginning at 11 a.m., which President Donald Trump said he would attend.

A departure ceremony is expected to follow the service at about 12:30 p.m. before Bush's remains are flown from Joint Base Andrews to Houston, Texas, for final services.

Wednesday Road Closures:
The following roads will close between the U.S. Capitol and the Washington National Cathedral at 9:15 a.m. until about 11 a.m. for the motorcade from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington National Cathedral:

  • Constitution Avenue NW
  • Pennsylvania Avenue NW
  • 15th Street NW
  • Pennsylvania Avenue NW
  • 22nd Street NW
  • Massachusetts Avenue NW
  • Wisconsin Avenue NW

These roads between the Washington National Cathedral and Joint Base Andrews will begin close from 11 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m.:

  • Wisconsin Avenue NW
  • Massachusetts Avenue NW
  • Waterside Drive NW
  • Rock Creek Parkway NW
  • Virginia Avenue NW
  • Constitution Avenue NW
  • 17th Street NW
  • Independence Avenue SW
  • Maine Avenue SW
  • I-395 / I-695 / I-295 South
  • Suitland Parkway (both directions)
  • Forestville Road
  • Joint Base Andrews - Maryland Gate

Thursday: Funeral at St. Martin's Episcopal Church

The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. at the church, which is not far from Bush's Houston residence. It is the same church where former first lady Barbara Bush's funeral was held in April.

Following the funeral, Bush's remains will depart Houston via train for Texas A&M University in College Station. There, he will be buried at his presidential library next to his late wife, Barbara, and late daughter, Robin. 

Other Road Closures in D.C.:
U.S. Capitol Police closed the following streets until about 12 p.m. on Wednesday:

  • East Capitol Street NE/SE, from Second Street NE/SE, to First Street NE/SE
  • First Street NE/SE from Constitution Ave. NE to Independence Ave. SE

Police may close more streets around the Capitol as necessary and officials are encouraging people to use Metro to get to the Capitol.

Prohibited Items at D.C. Events:
The following items are prohibited in the U.S. Capitol and on its grounds:

  • All firearms, dangerous weapons, explosives or incendiary devices; firearms include replica guns and ammunition
  • Weapons (including but not limited to): black jack, sling shot, sand club, sandbag, knuckles, electric stun guns, knives (of any size), martial arts weapons or devices
  • Pointed objects (including but not limited to): razors, box cutters, knives, knitting needles, letter openers. Pens and pencils are permitted.
  • Explosives and explosive devices including Molotov Cocktails, components of a destructive device and fireworks
  • Bags larged than 18" wide x 14" high x 8.5" deep
  • Mace and pepper spray
  • Liquid, including water; open and empty clear or translucent bottles and beverage containers are allowed.
  • Aerosol containers
  • Non-Aerosol spray except for prescribed medical needs
  • Sealed envelopes and packages
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