By Sam Hananel
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The body of Justice Antonin Scalia will lie in repose today at the Supreme Court, followed by a funeral service Saturday at the nation’s largest Catholic church.
Scalia’s casket will be on public view in the court’s Great Hall from 10:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. EDT on Friday, court officials said. A private ceremony was scheduled at the court at 9:30 a.m.
Current and retired justices are expected to line the marble steps as the casket is carried through the court’s main entrance, below the inscription “Equal Justice Under Law.” Pallbearers are likely to include Scalia’s current and former law clerks.
The funeral mass Saturday will take place at 11 a.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. It will be open to family and friends.
Burial plans have not been released, but court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said it would be closed to press coverage.
The details came Tuesday after Scalia’s courtroom chair was draped in black to mark his death, a Supreme Court tradition that dates to the 19th century.
Court officials also draped black wool crepe over the entrance to the marble courtroom and the mahogany bench in front of Scalia’s chair. Flags on the court’s front plaza will be flown at half-staff for 30 days.
Scalia died unexpectedly on Saturday at age 79.
He joined the court in 1986 and was its longest-serving justice.
He was found dead in his room at a remote Texas ranch.
Former Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who died in 2005, was the last member of the high court to lie in repose.
The court is expected to resume hearing cases Monday.
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