A catafalque is a raised bier or platform, often movable, that is used to support the casket, coffin, or body of the deceased during a funeral or memorial service. Catafalque decorations are known as castrum doloris. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wiktionary (a portmanteau of wiki and dictionary) is a multilingual, Web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in over 150 languages. ... A bier from Grendon church A bier is a flat frame, traditionally wooden but sometimes made of other materials, used to carry a corpse for burial in a funeral procession. ... An open coffin A coffin is a box used for the display and burial or cremation of a dead human body. ... An open casket A coffin (in North American English, also known as a casket, although the design is different - coffins taper towards the feet while caskets remain the same width) is a funerary box used in the display and containment of deceased remains -- either for burial or cremation. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... A request has been made on Wikipedia for this article to be deleted in accordance with the deletion policy. ...

The term originates from the Italian catafalco, which means scaffolding. The most notable Italian catafalque was the one designed for Michelangelo by his fellow artists in 1564. This article is about the temporary framework. ... Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (March 6, 1475 – February 18, 1564), commonly known as Michelangelo, was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet and engineer. ... Events March 27 — Naples bans kissing in public under the penalty of death June 22 — Fort Caroline, the first French attempt at colonizing the New World September 10 — The Battle of Kawanakajima Ottoman Turks invade Malta Modern pencil becomes common in England Conquistadors crossed the Pacific Spanish founded a colony...

West Norwood and Kensal Green Catafalques

London's West Norwood cemetery catacombs were constructed with a hydraulic catafalque, to lower coffins from the Episocal Chapel to the vaults. The single-pump hydraulic lift was installed in 1839 and could swivel to make unloading the coffins easier. This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... West Norwood (sometimes referred to as Norwood) is a place in the London Borough of Lambeth. ... Catacombs Paris Catacombs Rome - entrance Catacombs Rome - entrance (detail) Catacombs Lima. ... Hydraulics is a branch of science and engineering concerned with the use of liquids to perform mechanical tasks. ... 1839 (MDCCCXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

In 1844 a dual-pump version was installed in the Kensal Green cemetery catacombs. This catafalque could both raise and lower coffins from the Anglican Mortuary Chapel. The lift at Kensal Green has been restored, while the lift at West Norwood fell into disrepair and no longer works. Jan. ... Kensal Green is a neighbourhood in the London Borough of Brent. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... A mortuary is a cold chamber used to keep the deceased from seriously decomposing; this practice exists for the sake of recognition of the deceased and to allow time to prepare for burial. ...

Lincoln Catafalque

In the United States, the Lincoln catafalque, first used for Abraham Lincoln's funeral in 1865, has been used for all those who have lain in state in the Capitol Rotunda. When not in use, the catafalque is kept below the Crypt in a small vaulted chamber called Washington's Tomb, which was originally intended, but never used, as the burial place for George Washington. The catafalque was hastily constructed in 1865 to support the casket of Abraham Lincoln while the presidents body lay in state in the Rotunda. ... For other uses, see Abraham Lincoln (disambiguation). ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... Lying-in-state is the term used during a major funeral procession when the coffin is placed on public view to allow members of the public to pay their respects to the deceased. ... United States Capitol . The United States Capitol is the building which serves as home for the legislative branch of the United States government. ... Washingtons Tomb is a small room in the basement of the United States Capitol building. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and in 1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. ...

The Lincoln Catafalque is a simple bier of rough pine boards nailed together and covered with black cloth. Although the base and platform have occasionally been altered to accommodate the larger size of modern coffins and for the ease of the attending military personnel, it is basically the same today as it was in Lincoln's time. Presently the catafalque measures 7 feet 1 inch (216 cm) long, 2 feet 6 inches (76 cm) wide, and 2 feet (61 cm) high. The attached base is 8 feet 10 inches (269 cm) long, 4 feet 3-1/2 inches (131 cm) wide, and 2 inches (5 cm) high. The platform is 11 feet 1 inch (338 cm) long, 6 feet (183 cm) wide, and 9-1/4 inches (23.5 cm) high. Although the cloth covering the catafalque has been replaced several times, the style of the drapery is similar to that used in 1865. Subgenera Subgenus Strobus Subgenus Ducampopinus Subgenus Pinus See Pinus classification for complete taxonomy to species level. ...

Lincoln's catafalque was most recently used at the State funeral for U.S. President Gerald R. Ford. It was noted by commentators that the structure of the original pine timbers and boards have been reinforced, albeit being left 'original'. Betty Ford kneels in prayer at the casket of her late husband, Gerald Ford, as he lies in state. ...

Reference

• West Norwood Cemetery Catacombs
• Architect of the Capitol

According to Robert Cromie in his book, "The Great Chicago Fire", copyright 1958, Lincoln's catafalque was in Woods' Museum in Chicago and was burned in that fire in 1871. If true, it could not have been used in the state funeral of Gerald Ford.

• Catafalque Gothic Band Fan Site