Protocols observed when a Philippine president passes away (for the death of President Cory Aquino August 1, 2009)

These are the protocols observed when a former president of the Philippines passes away.Presidential proclamationThe incumbent president issues an official announcement declaring a period of national mourning for the death of a former president.During this period, Philippine flags in all buildings and places where these are displayed will be flown at half mast for 10 days.A book of condolences is routed to different embassies to be signed by ambassadors/foreign dignitaries.Lying in stateThe Heroes' Hall in Malacañang Palace may serve as a venue where the remains of former presidents may lie in state.Casket transfer and funeral processionThe remains are transferred to a caisson/hearse or a funeral car for movement to a church and to the Libingan ng mga Bayani or to any memorial park chosen by the bereaved. By virtue of AFP Regulation 161-375 (Allocation of Cemetery Plots at the Libingan ng mga Bayani), the remains of a former president can be interred at said national cemetery.The main funeral procession follows this order:
Escort Commander (with Ex-0 and Guidon Bearer as appropriate)
Colors
Band
Funeral elements
Honorary pallbearers (if riding in cars)
Clergy
Caisson or hearse and honorary pallbearers (if walking)
Active pallbearers
Personal colors (if appropriate)
Family
Friends and patriotic or fraternal organizationThe Philippine flag may be draped over the casket of the deceased as a past commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).The flag’s white triangle shall be at the head and the blue portion covers the right side of the casket.State funeral and full military honorsAs a past AFP commander-in-chief, a former head of state is afforded full military honors during a state burial.Events at the state funeral depend on whether a religious service is included or not. The AFP follows either of the two types of service (Lifted from AFP Funeral Honors Procedures):Chapel service is followed by a movement to the grave or place of local disposition with the prescribed funeral honors. This follows the standard sequence of events stated below:
Before the service begins, the funeral escort is formed in line facing the chapel. The band forms on the flank of the funeral escort and faces toward where it will be marched.
Members of the immediate family, relatives, and friends of the deceased are requested to enter the chapel and be seated before the casket is brought in the chapel. They must occupy the front-most pews/seats to the right of the chapel.
The hearse bearing the remains should arrive in front of the chapel a few moments before the time set for the service. As the hearse approaches, appropriate military honors shall be rendered in front of the chapel. After which, the casket shall be entered to the chapel for the religious service.
After the religious/chapel service and upon exit of the casket from the chapel, the funeral escort and band shall repeat the procedure as prescribed when entering the chapel. Cortege follows and formed in the previously mentioned order.
The procession marches slowly to solemn music (cadence of 100 beats per minute). The band plays appropriate music throughout the march. When the escort is in the vicinity of the grave, it resumes a slow cadence to solemn music.
As the procession approaches the grave, the marching elements move directly to their pre-designated positions. The band and military escort are formed in line within view of the next of kin. The other marching elements are halted as near as practicable to the grave. The firing party is positioned so that it fires over the grave and also within the view of the relatives and loved ones of the deceased.
Before the hearse is halted, the honorary pallbearers are formed in two ranks; the most senior closest to the hearse, forming an aisle extending from the hearse toward the grave. When the gravesite is too near to the road to permit this formation, the pallbearers take their position around the gravesite before the casket is removed from the hearse.
Just before moving the casket over the gravesite, appropriate honors is rendered immediately followed by last viewing and benediction from the clergy. The Philippine flag on the casket shall be folded solemnly and handed over to the heirs of the deceased. When the casket is about to be lowered to the grave for burial, 21-gun salute is rendered and taps is played by the drummer and bugler.Grave service. For a funeral without chapel service, all elements of a military funeral must be present. If troops are not conveniently available or if the family desires to eliminate other elements, however, the following shall be used and shall be at the gravesite before the arrival of the remains:
Clergy
Officer in Charge (appropriate to the rank of the deceased)
Active pallbearers
Firing party
Drummer and Bugler
Personal color bearer (if applicable)