By Joy Allmond
Beginning Saturday, Feb. 24, Billy Graham’s body will travel to places important in his life and ministry before he is laid to rest on Friday, March 2.
Watch the live stream of all major events from the Billy Graham memorial website. In the meantime, viewers can watch classic Billy Graham sermons, along with live commentary from his ministry headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Motorcade
On Saturday, Feb. 24, the immediate family had a private prayer service at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, North Carolina, before a motorcade transported Graham’s body to the the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, where he will lie in repose.
The outpouring of love we are seeing as we travel from Asheville to Charlotte via the motorcade with my father @BillyGraham is overwhelming. People lining the streets, the overpasses—Thank you. pic.twitter.com/j5R6TNsve4
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) February 24, 2018
The journey took around three and a half hours, leaving The Cove around 11:30 a.m. and arriving at the Billy Graham Library around 3 p.m.
Yesterday, the hearse carried my father’s body one last time on the Billy Graham Parkway in Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/X9H2yjh9vQ
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) February 26, 2018
The route passed by Lifeway’s Ridgecrest Conference Center, where flowers adorn a statue of Graham.
Public visitation
Monday, Feb. 26, and Tuesday, Feb. 27, the casket was placed in the Graham Family Homeplace—the childhood home of Billy Graham that was moved to the grounds of the Billy Graham Library.
The public was invited to pay their respects from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days. Graham’s plywood casket, crafted by inmates at Louisiana’s Angola Prison, remained closed.
Grateful to all who are coming out today to pay their respects to my father at @TheBGLibrary. pic.twitter.com/UfGtu51Pqu
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) February 26, 2018
Former president George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, visited the Billy Graham Library Monday, Feb. 26 to pay their respects.
Bill Clinton visited Tuesday, Feb. 27.
Lie in honor
Graham’s body was flown to Washington, D.C., where he lay in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday, Feb. 28 and Thursday, March 1. He is only the fourth private citizen to have this distinction.
The President and First Lady laying a wreath down in honor of Billy Graham. pic.twitter.com/x8ME87eMTP
— BGEA (@BGEA) February 28, 2018
Upon Graham’s arrival at the Rotunda, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell led a bicameral service honoring the evangelist.
The song "Amazing Grace" rang out as thousands waited to pay their respects to Dr. @BillyGraham at the @uscapitol Rotunda. https://t.co/Lk4HQBviGx
— Samaritan's Purse (@SamaritansPurse) March 1, 2018
Private funeral
This morning we are bringing my father @BillyGraham’s body from the Capitol back to Charlotte, NC, for a private funeral service tomorrow. The time in Washington has been very special to our family. Thank you to all who paid their respects to my father in the Rotunda. pic.twitter.com/ZjXC0mU3JM
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) March 1, 2018
Graham’s casket will be returned to Charlotte, where a private funeral service will be held Friday, March 2, on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library. He will be buried next to his wife, Ruth, in the Library’s Prayer Garden.
Among the 2,300 invited to attend the service are President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, along with living former presidents.
The service will take place in the Library parking lot under a large tent—a nod to the beginnings of Graham’s public ministry.
Among those scheduled to speak at the funeral are Graham’s children.
We will have more information here as it becomes available.
Related:
- Why Billy Graham’s Casket is From Angola Prison
- Billy Graham’s Life & Ministry by the Numbers
- On Billy Graham, Calling and Humility: A Tribute From a Former Employee
- Billy Graham Remains Influential Among Churchgoers
JOY ALLMOND (@JoyAllmond) is managing editor of Facts & Trends.
