Sen. Lindsey Graham's funeral services will take place July 28 in Washington, D.C., and July 29 in Columbia, South Carolina, following his death on July 11 from an aortic dissection. Washington events include a ceremonial escort into the U.S. Capitol Rotunda and an invitation-only service at Washington National Cathedral at 2 p.m. ET, where former President Trump is expected to speak. In Columbia, a procession from the State House to First Baptist Church begins at 10:45 a.m. ET, with an F-16 flyover planned for 11 a.m. ET; the family will hold a private burial in Pickens County.
When Is Sen. Lindsey Graham’s Funeral? Dates, Times and Service Details
Black draping and flowers are placed on the seat of late Senate Appropriations Committee member Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 21, 2026, in Washington, DC.
Funeral services for the late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham will be held over two days: July 28 in Washington, D.C., and July 29 in Columbia, South Carolina. Graham, 71, a longtime Republican from South Carolina, died on July 11 after suffering an aortic dissection following a trip to Ukraine.
Washington, D.C. — July 28
The day in Washington will include a ceremonial escort of Graham’s casket into the U.S. Capitol Rotunda by an Armed Forces detail and a brief program honoring his years of service in the Senate. An invitation-only memorial at Washington National Cathedral is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET; former President Donald Trump is expected to speak. The cathedral service will be livestreamed on the cathedral’s official website and broadcast on USA TODAY’s YouTube channel for those who cannot attend.
South Carolina — July 29
On July 29 in Columbia, South Carolina, a public procession will move from the south side of the South Carolina State House to the First Baptist Church of Columbia. The procession is set to begin at 10:45 a.m. ET, with an F-16 flyover planned for 11 a.m. ET. A worship service will follow at First Baptist; seating is first-come, first-served. After public events, the family will hold a private burial service in Pickens County.
Remarks, Logistics and Tributes
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said on July 15 that planning was complicated by the number of global leaders seeking to attend, noting,
"Lindsey Graham and foreign policy (are) inseparable."
Darline Graham, who was appointed to complete her brother’s Senate term through January and is running for the GOP nomination for the full seat, thanked organizers and supporters in a statement: "I am grateful to all those who have come together to help honor and remember Lindsey."
Officials have coordinated logistics to accommodate both dignitaries and members of the public who wish to pay their respects during the two days of memorial activities.
Reporting contributions: USA TODAY's James Powel and The Greenville News' Joyce Orlando and Bella Carpenter. Fernando Cervantes Jr. contributed reporting for USA TODAY.
A picture taken on July 10, 2026 shows U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaking to the media after his meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko(Valentyn Ogirenko, REUTERS)
Lindsey Graham, republican candidate for US senator talks at a campaign stop in Greenville Monday, Oct. 28, 2002.(George Gardner / USA Today Network South Carolina file)
Lindsey Graham rallied with his supporters in Seneca on the eve of election day. He is talking to Tom Thrift of Seneca November 4, 2002.(Tanya Ackerman / USA Today Network South Carolina file)
U.S. Rep. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina's 3rd district listens to G. Ross Anderson, Jr. speak during the dedication and ceremony for the G. Ross Anderson Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Anderson, S.C. on April, 5, 2002.(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina file)
US Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks during a press conference from his office in downtown Greenville on Friday, September 22, 2006.(Heidi Heilbrunn / USA Today Network South Carolina file)
President George Bush arrived at the Columbia Metro Airport Friday and made a statement before leaving to attend a graduation ceremony at Ft. Jackson and a fundraiser for Sen. Lindsey Graham. President George Bush attended a Combat Basic Training graduation ceremony at Ft. Jackson in Columbia, S.C. Nov 2, 2007.(Owen Riley Jr / USA Today Network South Carolina file)
Clemson University Provost Bob Jones, left, smiles as U.S. Sen Lindsey Graham gives two -thumbs up at a Clemson University graduation in Clemson, S.C. May 20, 2011.(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham walk together outside of the Michelin headquarters in Greenville to view one of the large Earthmover tires that will be produced in Starr April 9, 2012.(Nathan Gray / USA Today Network)
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham sheds tears remembering fallen soldiers at the Clemson University Scroll of Honor memorial service February 28, 2014.(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham looks at a brick with his father F.J. Graham's name on it, after the dedicating the new Veterans Monument at Veterans Park in Pendleton November 11, 2014. U.S. Sen. Graham served in the U.S. Air Force from 1982 to 1988 and served as a reservist in the South Carolina Air National Guard and his father served in the U.S. Army during World War II.(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina file)
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who is seeking the republican nomination for president , talks with Donald Stevenson, a veteran of the Army, during Graham's ice cream social at Besto Restaurant in Anderson Monday August 10, 2015.(Nathan Gray / USA Today Network South Carolina file)
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, middle, watches John Brown, director of music at Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home, lead the choir in singing "God Bless America" during their Memorial Day Service in Anderson May 28, 2012.(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
John Brown, director of music at Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home, greets U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham after a Memorial Day Service at the home in Anderson May 28, 2012.(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
U.S. Sen Lindsey Graham eats the bratwurst lunch during the kickoff lunch for Oktoberfest at Sertoma Field in Walhalla October 16, 2012.(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina file)
Maj. Gen. Robert Livingston Jr. and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham bow their heads, while Pastor Ray Longernecker of Six Mile Baptist Church prays, during A Day of Remembrance in Six Mile May 27, 2013.(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham smiles to his supporters before announcing that he is running for president in Central on Monday June 1, 2015.(Sefton Ipock / USA Today Network South Carolina)
National guard pilot Austin Norris shows U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham an Apache Helicopter during Graham's tour of the at the South Carolina Aviation and Technology Center at the Donaldson Center Monday, January 26, 2015.(Bart Boatwright / USA Today Network South Carolina file)
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham gives a thumbs up after going on a test flight in a Lockheed Martin T-50A at the Lockheed Martin Greenville Operations 244 Terminal on Monday, April 10, 2017.(Josh Morgan / USA Today Network South Carolina file)
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), right, pose for the media in Graham's Russell Senate office before meeting on Capitol Hill in 2018. Former Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), left, was escorting the nominee around Capitol Hill.(Jack Gruber/USA TODAY)
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, second from left, and former State Gov. Nikki Haley join Clemson officials and family for a photo before the first quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson Thursday, August 29, 2019.(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina file)
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) gestures, while standing next to former U.S. President Donald Trump, during Donald Trump's campaign stop to unveil his leadership team, at the South Carolina State House in Columbia, South Carolina, U.S., January 28, 2023.(SHANNON STAPLETON, REUTERS)
US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) shares his excitement with fellow local residents as he steps up with a poll manager to make his choices on the ballot during early voting at Oconee County Board of Voter Registration & Elections in Walhalla, S.C. Thursday, October 31, 2024. Sen. Graham said afterwards voting is the next best thing to going to church on Sunday.(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina file)
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) looks over his prepared remarks about Kilmar Abrego Garcia before the start of a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 17, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst(Jonathan Ernst, REUTERS)
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) arrives at Palm Beach International Airport in unincorporated Palm Beach County, Fla., on March 28, 2025.(THOMAS CORDY, THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
President Donald Trump (R) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speak to the media aboard Air Force One en route to Washington on January 4, 2026.(Joe Raedle, Getty Images)
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Republican from South Dakota, walks with Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican from South Carolina, on their way to the Senate Chamber at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on June 4, 2026.(KENT NISHIMURA, AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) attends a state dinner hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump for King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the East Room of the White House on April 28, 2026 in Washington, DC.(Andrew Harnik, Getty Images)
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