Lindsey Graham funeral to draw Trump, Zelenskyy and Netanyahu

The Lindsey Graham funeral will begin Tuesday in Washington with President Donald Trump, senior U.S. officials and foreign leaders expected to honor the Republican senator, who died this month at 71, according to NBC News.

Graham, one of the Senate’s best-known Republicans and a major voice on defense and foreign policy, will be remembered across two days of services. The first ceremonies are set for Washington, followed by events Wednesday in his home state of South Carolina, which he represented in Congress for more than 30 years.

NBC News reported that Graham’s casket will be carried Tuesday morning by an armed forces body bearer team, a nod to his military career. Graham served as an Air Force judge advocate general officer and later retired from the Air Force Reserve in 2015 as a colonel.

When is Lindsey Graham's funeral?

According to NBC News, a private ceremony in the Capitol rotunda is scheduled for Tuesday morning and will be livestreamed. Graham will not lie in state or lie in honor, but he will receive a special Capitol tribute, with a U.S. Capitol Police memorial guard taking over for the military team to recognize his Senate service.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said in a statement reported by NBC News that Graham had spent his life in public service, from the military to state politics to Congress, and called the Capitol honor a fitting farewell from colleagues and friends.

After the Capitol ceremony, Graham’s casket is due to be taken to Washington National Cathedral for a 2 p.m. ET invitation-only funeral service, which NBC News said will also be livestreamed.

Trump is expected to speak at the cathedral service, NBC News reported. The president has said he considered Graham to be like “family” and was among the final people to speak with him.

Cabinet officials, congressional leaders and military figures are also expected to attend. NBC News reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, both of whom worked with Graham on foreign policy and defense issues, are expected as well. Trump is also expected to meet separately Tuesday with Netanyahu and Zelenskyy.

What happens in South Carolina?

Graham’s body is scheduled to return to South Carolina after the Washington services. NBC News reported that the public may pay respects along a procession route around 10:45 a.m. ET Wednesday at the South Carolina State House in Columbia, where his political career began in 1993.

His casket will be carried by a South Carolina State Guard horse-drawn caisson, according to NBC News. Law enforcement agencies from around the state are expected to take part in a presentation on the State House’s north steps, followed by an F-16 flyover from the 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base at about 11 a.m. ET.

The procession is then expected to move down Main Street to First Baptist Church of Columbia for another funeral service. NBC News reported that a private family burial will take place in Pickens County, South Carolina, where Graham and his sister Darline Graham were raised.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve the remaining six months of her brother’s Senate term two days after his death, NBC News reported. She has since said she will run for a full six-year term, with an Aug. 11 primary approaching.

Graham, who had chaired the Senate Budget Committee, died the night of July 11 after emergency crews responded to a “cardiac arrest” call at his home near the U.S. Capitol, according to NBC News. His office said the preliminary cause was “aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” described as a rupture of the aorta linked to hardening of the arteries. Toxicology and other test results were still pending.

This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.