Lying in repose

Lying in repose is the tradition in which the body of a deceased person, often of high social stature, is made available for public viewing.

[citation needed] When the deceased person is placed in another location, like the Great Hall of the Supreme Court, they lie in repose, as was the case following the deaths of Justices Antonin Scalia in February 2016,[2] Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September 2020,[3] and Sandra Day O'Connor in December 2023.

However, as an example to the contrary, when the body of John F. Kennedy lay in repose, the term meant "private" as opposed to a public lying in state.

At the provincial, territorial or local levels, current and former politicians may lie in state or repose in government buildings.

In the funeral home setting, the mourners are generally standing or sitting around the open casket or coffin to shake hands and accept offers of sympathy from the public.