Mourning Mandela: provisional 12-day mourning and funeral schedule

Dec. 6 (UPI) -- As the world grieves the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela, who passed away at the age of 94 on December 5, 2013, a provisional 12-day mourning schedule created in collaboration with the Mandela family and the South African government over a year ago is likely now in place.

The Guardian shared the details of an internal South African government document laying out the intended steps following the death of the historic and highly respected Mandela. The funeral is expected to draw millions, thereby requiring much logistical foresight in terms of both planning and security. The plans detailed below are subject to revision but, as The Guardian noted, "it provides insight into how officials have prepared for a historically unique moment."

Day One -- December 5 "Body to be taken and moved to the mortuary under police guard, plans for possible live coverage are being worked on."

Day Two -- December 6 "Condolence books to be opened on all foreign missions, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Union Buildings, and possibly Soweto Mandela Museum."

Day Three -- December 7 Briefing of foreign diplomats in Pretoria and discussion of logistics regarding Mandela lying in state.

Day Four -- December 8 The Mandela family will receive various dignitaries.

Day Five -- December 9 Nothing specified

Day Six -- December 10 A memorial service "ceremony will be addressed by President Jacob Zuma," with dignitaries and organizational leaders in attendance "as the body will be there." For broadcast purposes, "there will be screens outside the city hall, and possibly Soweto, Cape Town and various other places."

Day Seven -- December 11 Nothing specified

Day Eight -- December 12 Mandela lies in state at Pretoria city hall for three days. His "Body will be kept there until very late on every day, and then removed to be prepared for the following day... inside a coffin with glass at the top for viewing."

Day Nine -- December 13 The South African military will rehearse for the official state funeral at the Unions Buildings, the location of Mandela's 1994 inauguration. International heads of state will begin arriving at airports in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Day Ten -- December 14 International heads of state will continue arriving at airports in Pretoria and Johannesburg. Street closures begin as "all security measures to be implemented, final preparations at the Union Buildings, including dropping of equipment to be used during the ceremony... Body to be taken later for final dressing."

Day Eleven -- December 15 Procession from the mortuary to the Union Buildings. State funeral at the Union Buildings amphitheater with heads of state in attendance. Broadcast on screens in the grounds and Pretoria city hall. "Body to be removed after the ceremony, and the later flown by the military to Qunu [Mandela's home village in Easter Cape province] overnight for final burial."

Day Twelve -- December 16 "Morning procession through the streets, and then to the family home for the final burial at the Mandela home compound, not the family cemetery."

[The Guardian]