Plans are in the works to have the state funeral of late president Arthur NR Robinson either between April 29 to May 3, or April 24 to April 28 within a five-day period of mourning, National Security Minister Gary Griffith said yesterday. During that period, citizens in T&T will get to file past Robinson’s casket to pay their last respects to the former head of state who died at 6 am on Wednesday at age 87, Last night Griffith said plans were leaning towards the period of April 29 to May 3. The final date is being worked out between Robinson’s family and the Prime Minister.
Discussions are also on-going between the Prime Minister and the family on what plans will be undertaken by Government to honour the late former head of state. Speaking at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Griffith said a team established to plan the funeral programme met yesterday. Members included Robinson’s daughter Ann-Margaret, Speaker Wade Mark, officials of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Tobago House of Assembly, National Diversity Ministry, Trade and Communication, Defence Force and other agencies. Also on the team will be Robinson’s son David, who arrives in T&T tomorrow, and Colonel Ellis Robinson.
Griffith said an exact date for the funeral could not be given yet but the concept would be a period of mourning over five days. During that period Robinson’s body, in a flag-draped coffin, would lie in state for the first two days for dignitaries and members of the public to file past and pay their respects, he said. Proposed venue for that aspect is the Parliament location at the Waterfront Complex, Wrightson Road. A rotunda and parking space will have to be supplied for this, he added. Griffith said consideration was also being given to using the rotunda at the Red House. That building is still under renovation but that site also will be examined. The Speaker was handling that aspect, he said. Those activities will be followed on day three by the funeral service. Consideration is being given to using the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain.
PERIOD OF MOURNING
DAY ONE AND TWO: Body lies in state at the Parliament rotunda — either Waterfront Complex or Red House if available — between 6 am to 6 pm.
DAY THREE: State funeral at NAPA, Port-of-Spain, in the morning; body lies in state after until 3 pm
DAY FOUR: Body lies in state at THA Legislative Chamber, Scarborough, Tobago
DAY FIVE: Service at venue to be announced; final commital at Scarborough Methodist cemetery.
What to Expect
The funeral will be preceded by a procession of the military cortege with full honours along a route lined by members of the protective services and other groups. Following the funeral, the body will lie in state at the eastern lobby of NAPA until 3 pm for members of the public to pay their respects. The body will then be flown to Tobago, where on day four it will lie in state at the Legislative Chamber of the THA. On the morning of day five, a service of thanksgiving for Robinson’s life will be held. Venue for this is yet to be announced. That day’s service will also feature groups and members of the protective services lining the route.
This will be followed by final commital at the Scarborough Methodist cemetery with full military honours. A condolence book will be open at NAPA today from 1 pm to 4 pm. Other books will be available next Monday from 8 am to 4 pm at the Parliament, THA Legislative Chamber, all foreign diplomatic missions, corporations and boroughs. All T&T flags are flying at half-mast until after the funeral.