Funeral events for former President Gerald R. Ford, who died Dec. 26 at age 93, began Friday when the casket was transferred to St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert, Calif. The 38th president and his widow, Betty, joined the congregation in 1977.

A public viewing was to follow a private prayer service for the family and visitation for invited friends. On Saturday morning, after a brief service of departure, the casket will be taken from St. Margaret’s to Palm Springs International Airport. From there, the casket and family will depart for Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

Later on Saturday, a motorcade will take the casket for a ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., then on to the Capitol for a state funeral in the rotunda. A period of lying in state will begin after the funeral, and public viewing will continue on Sunday and Monday.

On Tuesday morning, the casket will be taken to Washington National Cathedral for a funeral. The Rev. Robert Certain, rector of St. Margaret’s, will preach the homily and offer the prayers of commendation at the funeral service. The Rt. Rev. John Chane, Bishop of Washington, will meet the casket at the cathedral doors, and the Very Rev. Sam Lloyd, the cathedral’s dean, will offer the dismissal.

The casket will then be flown to Grand Rapids, Mich., where a service and public viewing will be held at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. On Wednesday, the casket will be taken to Grace Church, East Grand Rapids, for an afternoon funeral service. The Rev. Charles Howell, Grace’s rector until earlier this year, will officiate along with Interim Rector Nixon McMillan, Deacon Kathy Brower and Fr. Certain. The Fords were longtime members of the parish, and were married in 1948 at the church’s previous location.

The casket will then be returned to the presidential museum for interment on the grounds.

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