PM kicks off closed casket viewing of Seaga’s body
June 5, 2019Prime Minister Andrew Holness led mourners in viewing the body of late former Prime Minister Edward Seaga at the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) headquarters in St Andrew today, June 5.
He arrived at the Belmont Road location at about 10 o’clock this morning and was greeted by Mr Seaga’s widow, Carla Seaga.
He signed the condolence book before viewing the closed casket wrapped in the national flag, while soldiers stood guard.
Mr Holness stood in silent reflection for several minutes.
He was accompanied by Cabinet ministers Olivia Grange and Robert Montague.
Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding was also present.
Mr Seaga’s body will next lie-in-state on June 7 from 9AM to mid-day at the Montego Bay Civic Centre in St James, and from 2PM to 5PM at the St John’s Anglican Church in Ocho Rios, St Ann.
Members of the public will also be able to pay their respects at the Tivoli Gardens Community Centre, where the body of the late former Prime Minister will lie-in-state from 10AM to 1PM on June 10, and starting at 10AM on June 19 at the National Arena in Kingston.
The public will be allowed to file past the casket at each location.
Both Houses of Parliament, in the meantime, will sit in a joint session, starting at 2PM on June 19 as a tribute to the former legislator.
The funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 23, at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, a known venue for state funerals and memorial services for prominent public figures, including former Prime Minister Michael Manley in March 1997.
During this period of mourning, Jamaican flags are being flown at half-mast in Jamaica and overseas, leading up to his burial at the National Heroes’ Park.
Condolence books already have been opened at the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Jamaica’s missions overseas.
Mr Seaga died on his 89th birthday on May 28, in a hospital in Florida.
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