Death and state funeral of Pierre Trudeau facts for kids

The death and state funeral of Pierre Trudeau happened in September 2000. Pierre Trudeau was a very important person in Canada. He was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada, which means he was the country's leader for many years, from 1968 to 1984. There was a short break in his time as Prime Minister between 1979 and 1980.

Trudeau passed away on September 28, 2000. His passing led to a special event called a state funeral, which is a big public ceremony held for important national figures.

Pierre Trudeau's State Funeral

A state funeral is a formal public funeral ceremony. It is usually held to honor people who have served their country in a very important way, like a former Prime Minister. These funerals are planned by the government and involve many traditions and ceremonies.

Saying Goodbye in Ottawa

Before the official funeral, Pierre Trudeau's coffin was placed in a special display called "lying in state." This allowed people to pay their respects. His coffin was first placed on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada. This happened from September 30 to October 1, 2000. Many Canadians came to see his coffin and say goodbye.

Saying Goodbye in Montreal

After Ottawa, Trudeau's coffin was moved to Montreal City Hall in Montreal, his home city. It lay in state there on October 2. This gave more people a chance to honor him.

The Funeral Ceremony

The main state funeral ceremony took place on October 3, 2000. It was held at the beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal. This church is a very famous and historic building in the city.

The Final Journey

The day of the funeral began at Montreal City Hall. Trudeau's family spent some private moments with his coffin. Then, it was carefully removed from the City Hall. A group of ten officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) marched alongside the coffin as it was driven to the Basilica.

Along the route, many people gathered to watch. Some clapped their hands, showing their appreciation for his service. Others wept, feeling sad about his passing. Many waved Canadian flags, and some simply stood quietly, watching as Pierre Trudeau made his last journey through the city he called home.