The Lindsey Graham funeral schedule includes two days of memorial events in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina on Tuesday, July 28, and Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The ceremonies honor the longtime South Carolina senator with events at the U.S. Capitol, Washington National Cathedral, South Carolina State House and First Baptist Church of Columbia before a private family burial in Pickens County.
As of July 28, 2026, Graham’s office has confirmed the schedule, including a 2:00 p.m. ET funeral service at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday and a 12:00 p.m. ET public funeral service in Columbia on Wednesday. The South Carolina events will also feature a procession and an F-16 flyover.
Graham died following a brief and unexpected illness at age 71. His death has prompted tributes from political leaders in the United States and abroad, reflecting his decades in Congress, involvement in foreign policy and lengthy military career.
Lindsey Graham Funeral Schedule for July 28 and July 29
The funeral ceremonies are divided between Washington and Graham’s home state of South Carolina.
| Date | Event | Location | Scheduled Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 28 | Arrival and memorial ceremony | U.S. Capitol | Before Cathedral service |
| July 28 | Funeral service | Washington National Cathedral | 2:00 p.m. ET |
| July 28 | Return to South Carolina | South Carolina | Evening |
| July 29 | State House procession | Columbia, South Carolina | About 10:45 a.m. ET |
| July 29 | F-16 flyover | South Carolina State House | About 11:00 a.m. ET |
| July 29 | Public funeral service | First Baptist Church of Columbia | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| July 29 | Private burial | Pickens County | After funeral service |
The official announcement from Graham’s Senate office says the family is inviting the public to participate in the South Carolina procession and Columbia funeral service.
Tuesday, July 28: Funeral Events in Washington, D.C.
The first day of the Lindsey Graham funeral schedule takes place in Washington, where Graham served for decades as a member of Congress.
The ceremonies begin at the U.S. Capitol before moving to Washington National Cathedral for the main Washington funeral service.
U.S. Capitol Ceremony
Graham’s remains will arrive at the U.S. Capitol for a ceremony recognizing both his military career and his years of service in the Senate.
An Armed Forces Body Bearer Team will carry his remains into the Capitol. Once inside the Rotunda, a U.S. Capitol Police memorial guard will take over.
A brief program will recognize Graham’s decades in the U.S. Senate.
The Capitol ceremony is closed to the general public, although Graham’s office says people can watch the proceedings through a livestream.
What Time Is Lindsey Graham’s Funeral at Washington National Cathedral?
The Washington National Cathedral funeral service is scheduled to begin at:
2:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 28, 2026
The Cathedral’s official calendar lists the funeral from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Cathedral is closed for regular sightseeing on July 28.
The funeral itself is invitation-only, meaning members of the general public cannot attend inside the Cathedral. A livestream is being made available for people who want to watch remotely.
Trump and World Leaders Expected at Washington Funeral
President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a tribute during Graham’s Washington National Cathedral funeral.
The service is also drawing major international figures. Associated Press reporting on July 28 says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are among the world leaders expected to attend.
Zelenskyy arrived in the United States ahead of the funeral and is also scheduled to meet Trump at the White House before attending the service.
The international presence is notable because foreign policy, national security, Ukraine and Israel were central issues throughout the later years of Graham’s Senate career.
When Will Lindsey Graham Return to South Carolina?
Following the Washington National Cathedral service, Graham’s remains will begin the journey back to South Carolina.
His arrival in the state is scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, July 28.
According to the official funeral announcement, the departure from Washington and arrival in South Carolina are closed to the press.
The public ceremonies resume Wednesday morning in Columbia.
Wednesday, July 29: Lindsey Graham Funeral Schedule in South Carolina
The second day of ceremonies provides South Carolinians with opportunities to publicly pay their respects.
Events begin at the South Carolina State House before moving to First Baptist Church of Columbia for the funeral.
After the Columbia service, Graham’s family will hold a private burial in Pickens County.
South Carolina State House Procession
Graham’s final visit to the South Carolina State House is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, July 29.
Members of the public are invited to stand along the procession route and pay their respects.
The procession will begin on the south side of the State House and move toward the north side by way of the West Walkway.
Graham’s remains will be transported by the South Carolina State Guard caisson detachment.
Law enforcement representatives from agencies across South Carolina will participate in a presentation on the north steps of the State House.
F-16 Flyover Scheduled for 11 A.M.
One of the most prominent military tributes during the South Carolina ceremonies will be an F-16 flyover.
The flyover is scheduled for approximately:
11:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, July 29
Aircraft from the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base are scheduled to conduct the tribute.
Following the flyover, the caisson will proceed down Main Street toward First Baptist Church of Columbia.
The military tribute reflects Graham’s long association with the U.S. Air Force in addition to his congressional career.
Lindsey Graham Funeral at First Baptist Church of Columbia
The primary South Carolina funeral service will be held at:
First Baptist Church of Columbia
1306 Hampton Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
The service begins at:
12:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Church doors are scheduled to open at 10:00 a.m. through the Hampton Street and Marion Street entrances.
Can the Public Attend Lindsey Graham’s Funeral?
Yes, the First Baptist Church of Columbia funeral is open to the public.
Seating will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and an RSVP is not required.
Because seating is not guaranteed, people planning to attend should account for the possibility of large crowds and security procedures.
The Washington National Cathedral service, by comparison, is invitation-only.
Security Rules for the Columbia Funeral
A clear-bag policy will be enforced at First Baptist Church to help speed up security screening and entry.
Small personal items such as wallets and clutches are also permitted.
Graham’s office has specifically announced that firearms and other weapons are prohibited at the funeral. That restriction applies to everyone attending, including people with concealed-carry permits or licenses.
Attendees should follow instructions from law enforcement and event personnel because access arrangements could be affected by security requirements and crowd size.
Where Will Lindsey Graham Be Buried?
After the First Baptist Church funeral, Graham will be laid to rest during a private family burial in Pickens County, South Carolina.
The burial ceremony is not open to the public.
No public burial time was included in the official funeral schedule.
Pickens County and the surrounding Upstate region have deep connections to Graham’s personal history. He was born in Central, South Carolina, and represented the state throughout his congressional career.
How to Watch Lindsey Graham’s Funeral Live
People who cannot attend the ceremonies in person will have opportunities to watch the Washington events online.
The U.S. Capitol ceremony will be available through a livestream, according to Graham’s office.
Washington National Cathedral will also provide a livestream of the 2:00 p.m. ET funeral service on July 28 through its online platforms.
Because funeral schedules involving high-level government officials and international dignitaries can be affected by security or logistical changes, viewers should rely on official sources close to the scheduled start time.
Why Lindsey Graham Is Receiving Military Honors
The military elements of Graham’s funeral recognize a career that extended well beyond elected office.
Before and during his political career, Graham served in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve. South Carolina’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs has highlighted his service as an Air Force lawyer and veteran while honoring his life and legacy.
His military background is reflected throughout the funeral arrangements.
The Armed Forces Body Bearer Team at the Capitol, South Carolina State Guard caisson procession and F-16 flyover are among the military honors incorporated into the two-day ceremonies.
Lindsey Graham’s Death and Tributes
Graham died after what his office described as a brief and unexpected illness. He was 71.
The Associated Press reported that a preliminary finding indicated Graham likely died after an aortic tear.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster publicly mourned Graham following his death, describing him as a determined advocate for South Carolina and the United States.
Tributes have also come from political and international figures who worked with Graham during his long career, particularly on defense and foreign-policy matters.
Latest Lindsey Graham Funeral Schedule Update
As of Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the official schedule remains centered on two days of ceremonies.
Tuesday’s events begin in Washington with the U.S. Capitol ceremony, followed by the 2:00 p.m. Washington National Cathedral funeral. Graham’s remains will then return to South Carolina Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday, July 29, the South Carolina State House procession begins at approximately 10:45 a.m., followed by the F-16 flyover at approximately 11:00 a.m. and the First Baptist Church funeral at 12:00 p.m. A private family burial in Pickens County will follow.
Anyone planning to attend Wednesday’s public events should continue checking official announcements in case security, traffic or timing arrangements change.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Lindsey Graham’s funeral?
The funeral ceremonies take place on Tuesday, July 28, and Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Washington events are scheduled for Tuesday, while the public South Carolina ceremonies take place Wednesday.
What time is Lindsey Graham’s funeral today?
The Washington National Cathedral funeral begins at 2:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 28 and is scheduled to run until 4:00 p.m.
Where is Lindsey Graham’s funeral being held?
The two-day schedule includes ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol, Washington National Cathedral, South Carolina State House and First Baptist Church of Columbia.
Is Lindsey Graham’s funeral open to the public?
The Washington National Cathedral service is invitation-only. The South Carolina procession and the July 29 funeral at First Baptist Church of Columbia are open to the public.
What time is Lindsey Graham’s South Carolina funeral?
The First Baptist Church of Columbia funeral begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 29. Doors open at 10:00 a.m.
Is there a procession for Lindsey Graham?
Yes. A public procession at the South Carolina State House is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:45 a.m. on July 29, followed by an F-16 flyover around 11:00 a.m.
Where will Lindsey Graham be buried?
Graham will be buried in Pickens County, South Carolina, following the Columbia funeral. The burial will be a private family ceremony.
Will Donald Trump attend Lindsey Graham’s funeral?
President Donald Trump is scheduled to participate in the Washington National Cathedral funeral and deliver a tribute.
Stay with us for the latest updates on Lindsey Graham’s funeral schedule, and share your memories or thoughts about the longtime South Carolina senator in the comments.