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Mourning begins for Gerald Ford US Capitol to honour Ford memory
(about 23 hours later)
Several days of ceremonies to honour the memory of former US President Gerald Ford, who died on Tuesday, have begun in California. The body of former US President Gerald Ford has been flown to Washington for ceremonies in his honour after his death on Tuesday at the age of 93.
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. After a funeral procession to the US Capitol, the body will lie in state ahead of a memorial service on Tuesday.
The main state funeral takes place on Saturday in Washington, where Mr Ford will lie in state over the weekend. Earlier in California, thousands of mourners paid their final respects at a church where Mr Ford used to worship.
Mr Ford, the 38th US president, served from 1974-76. He died aged 93. President Bush said he had displayed a decency, patriotism and courage that the US would always admire.
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. Mr Ford, the 38th US president, served from 1974-76.
His flag-draped coffin was carried into St Margaret's Episcopal church on Friday by a military guard of honour, and was met by Mr Ford's widow Betty, 88, his children and grandchildren.
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.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.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 death FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS Friday: Viewing at California church where he worshipped in Palm DesertSaturday: Lying in state begins at US Capitol Tuesday: 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.
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.
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.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.
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. In a tribute in his weekly radio address on Saturday, Mr Bush said:
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. "Gerald Ford's life spanned nine decades, and took him from the football fields of his boyhood in Michigan to the halls of power in Washington DC. At every stage of his journey he displayed a decency, patriotism and courage that America will always admire.
"As we say goodbye to the year 2006, we bid farewell to one of the finest public servants America has ever known. "