"Definition of a State Funeral"

Definition:
A public funeral ceremony held to honor heads of state or other important people of national significance.

State funerals are usually on a large scale and include a great deal of pomp and ceremony. The family of the deceased agrees to all of the ceremony and the public honors, instead of a smaller private funeral.

State funerals may be given for important people of national significance as a way of allowing the many citizens of the country a chance to participle in the funeral.

Persons entitled to a State Funeral in the United States:

• The President of the United States.
• An Ex-President of the United States.
• The President-elect of the United States.
• An other person specifically designated by the president.

Sources:
State, Official and Special Military Funerals. Army Pamphlet 1-1. Available at:http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p1_1.pdf
Examples of Grand Goodbyes - Available at: http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9708/diana/mourns/grand.goodbyes/