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Mourning begins for Gerald Ford Mourning begins for Gerald Ford
(about 4 hours later)
Several days of ceremonies to honour the memory of former US President Gerald Ford, who died on Tuesday, have begun in California.Several days of ceremonies to honour the memory of former US President Gerald Ford, who died on Tuesday, have begun in California.
Accompanied by his widow Betty, Mr Ford's coffin arrived at a parish church near his home. Public viewing will follow a private service. Mr Ford's relatives and close friends attended a private prayer service at a parish church in Palm Desert near the former president's home.
The main state funeral takes place on Saturday in Washington, where Mr Ford will lie in state over the weekend.The main state funeral takes place on Saturday in Washington, where Mr Ford will lie in state over the weekend.
Mr Ford, the 38th US president, served from 1974-76. He died aged 93.Mr Ford, the 38th US president, served from 1974-76. He died aged 93.
His flag-draped coffin was carried into St Margaret's Episcopal church by a military guard of honour. His flag-draped coffin was carried into St Margaret's Episcopal church by a military guard of honour, and was met by Mr Ford's widow Betty, his children and grandchildren.
The major US stock exchanges have said they will close on Tuesday to mark his death. Mrs Ford stood in silence after the casket was laid at the altar with three wreaths of white flowers, before the private family service began.
Later, the family was joined by some 300 guests, including former Secretary of State George Schultz and former New York Congressman Jack Kemp.
Mr Ford's coffin is expected to remain at the church overnight for a public viewing expected to draw thousands of people.
The major US stock exchanges have said they will close on Tuesday, the day of Mr Ford's state funeral in Washington.
Bush speechBush speech
The former president had suffered ill health this year and was taken to hospital four times for tests and angioplasty. He suffered a stroke in 2000.The former president had suffered ill health this year and was taken to hospital four times for tests and angioplasty. He suffered a stroke in 2000.
He was unelected, taking office after Richard Nixon quit over the Watergate scandal.He was unelected, taking office after Richard Nixon quit over the Watergate scandal.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS Friday: Viewing at California church where he worshipped in Palm DesertSaturday: State funeral in Capitol Rotunda in Washington, lying in state beginsTuesday: Day of national mourning, funeral at National Cathedral in WashingtonWednesday: Service and burial in Grand Rapids, Michigan Gerald Ford: Obituary Life in pictures In quotes: Reaction to deathFUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS Friday: Viewing at California church where he worshipped in Palm DesertSaturday: State funeral in Capitol Rotunda in Washington, lying in state beginsTuesday: Day of national mourning, funeral at National Cathedral in WashingtonWednesday: Service and burial in Grand Rapids, Michigan Gerald Ford: Obituary Life in pictures In quotes: Reaction to death
President George W Bush led tributes to Mr Ford, saying he helped restore confidence in his office after Watergate.President George W Bush led tributes to Mr Ford, saying he helped restore confidence in his office after Watergate.
However Mr Ford revived the debate over Watergate by controversially granting his former boss a pardon for any crimes committed as president.However Mr Ford revived the debate over Watergate by controversially granting his former boss a pardon for any crimes committed as president.
The state funeral service for Mr Ford will be in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington on Saturday evening, before two days of lying in state.The state funeral service for Mr Ford will be in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington on Saturday evening, before two days of lying in state.
President Bush, who is at his Texas ranch, will not be present.President Bush, who is at his Texas ranch, will not be present.
He is expected to pay his respects once he returns to Washington on Monday. He is expected to pay his respects once he returns to Washington on Monday. The president will also speak at Tuesday's funeral service at the National Cathedral.
The president will also speak at Tuesday's funeral service at the National Cathedral.
Mr Ford's coffin will then be taken to Grand Rapids, Michigan - where he spent most of his childhood and practised law - for burial on a hillside near his presidential library on Wednesday.Mr Ford's coffin will then be taken to Grand Rapids, Michigan - where he spent most of his childhood and practised law - for burial on a hillside near his presidential library on Wednesday.
A makeshift shrine formed outside the Gerald Ford Museum as people lit candles and laid flowers and flags.A makeshift shrine formed outside the Gerald Ford Museum as people lit candles and laid flowers and flags.
The Associated Press news agency says it is unlikely the ceremonies for Gerald Ford will draw the crowds of former President Ronald Reagan's funeral, when more than 200,000 people on both coasts paid their respects.The Associated Press news agency says it is unlikely the ceremonies for Gerald Ford will draw the crowds of former President Ronald Reagan's funeral, when more than 200,000 people on both coasts paid their respects.