The remains of Rev. Billy Graham, who died Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the age of 99, will “lie in honor” at the U.S. Capitol before a funeral in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to reports.
His body was moved from the funeral home to the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville.
Officials said Thursday that the public can pay their respects to Graham at the Rotunda next Wednesday. House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will take part in a service when his casket arrives, the report stated.
Reports say that Graham died in his sleep at his Montreat home.
“In addition to spreading the gospel to millions around the world, Rev. Graham served as a spiritual adviser to countless American presidents, and an inspiration to millions,” U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry said in a statement, via the Citizen-Times. ”In light of this work and his years of service to the United States, it is wholly befitting for our nation to honor Rev. Graham by according the honors of Laying in Honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. As Rev. Graham’s representative in Washington, I’m honored and humbled to introduce the resolution to do just that.”
Later, he will be buried in the Prayer Garden next to his wife Ruth, who died in 2007.
Graham passed away on Feb. 21 after a long life that included spreading evangelical Christianity to the mainstream and being the spiritual adviser to a number of presidents, including Ronald Reagan and Dwight Eisenhower.
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