*A leading “foot soldier for justice” and civil rights, Jesse Jackson will be memorialized over multiple states with homegoing ceremonies this week beginning on February 26. The Jackson family announced revised memorial plans with expanded services across multiple states to honor his towering legacy. including his native South Carolina, his place of residence Chicago and second home, Washington, DC.
Jackson died at age 84 on February 17, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped American politics, expanded the fight for racial and economic justice, and inspired generations of activists. His activism spanned more than six decades—from marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and championing global human rights.
On Sunday Jackson’s daughter Sandida did a tribute on her Chicago radio show, remembering her father as a man who loved them deeply. She said his passing was a triumph not a tragedy. The family said in a statement announcing his death: “We are comforted knowing that his impact will continue to be felt around the world, and we invite the public to join us in celebrating his extraordinary life and legacy.”
The family has revised the initial announcement for homegoing arrangements.
“Since announcing the details of Reverend Jackson’s Homegoing service yesterday, we have also heard from leaders in South Carolina and Washington, D.C., two places of profound significance to him. They have extended the extraordinary honor of allowing him to be celebrated in formal services in his native state of South Carolina and formal services in the nation’s capital-Washington, D.C.,” the family said of “These viewings will be followed by official services in his beloved home, the city of Chicago on March 6 and 7.”
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In related news, Speaker Mike denied a request for Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. tong lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. The denial is cited as being due to a recent rule change reserving the honor exclusively for former presidents. The request was made by Democrats and Jackson’s family.
CLARIFYING THE PROCEDURE: Was Jesse Jackson Denied Honor of ‘Laying in State’ at the US Capitol?
There is a difference between lying in state and lying in repose. Only the following are allowed to lay in state: Current or former government officials (e.g., Member of Congress, President, Vice President); military leaders; unknown servicemembers from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam era. All other eligible honorees would be considered for lying in repose. At press time it appears that Jackson will be doing neither.
It had been presumed that Congress snubbed the request for political reasons. The Jackson family said in a statement that they want an apolitical homegoing, welcoming the entire public to pay their respect regardless of party affiliation.
Rosa Parks did not lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. To lie in repose is a distinction granted to individual of nobility or of high esteem in society. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg lay in repose on the steps of the Supreme Court. Parks was the first and only private citizen granted the honor to lie in repose inside the Capitol Rotunda (in 2005).
In 2020, an exception was made for Congressman John Lewis who was authorized to lay in repose on the Capitol steps with the signing of a concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 105.
Similarly, Baptist evangelist Billy Graham lay in the rotunda in 2018. He was the 18th non-president to do so and was approved via a
senate resolution.
Since the rotunda is a shared space in the center of the Capitol, the decision is an act of Congress that involves approval from both Chambers, The Slice News confirmed.
Requests for both Dick Cheney and Charlie Kirk were denied. The last person to lie in state was Pres. Jimmy Carter.
While Jackson was prominent in U.S. politics, he never held public office but given the previous individuals who were recognized and the historical significance of his legacy, supporters deemed his stature equally as worthy of the supreme honor.
In response to the denial, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed that Jackson lie in state at the John A. Wilson Building (the seat of D.C.’s local government). Jackson previously served as D.C.’s first “Shadow Senator” from 1991 to 1997.
Official Memorial Schedule
Thursday, February 26
Lying in State – Rainbow PUSH Coalition
930 E. 50th Street, Chicago, IL 60615
10:00 AM
Friday, February 27
Lying in State – Rainbow PUSH Coalition
930 E. 50th Street, Chicago, IL 60615
10:00 AM**Travel date(s): March 1 through March 5
South Carolina and Washington, D.C.
Friday, March 6
The People’s Celebration – House of Hope
752 E. 114th Street, Chicago, IL 60628
Doors Open: 9:00 AM
Service: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday, March 7
Private Homegoing Celebration—Rainbow PUSH Coalition
930 E. 50th Street, Chicago, IL 60615
Doors Open: 8:00 AM
Service: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Limited capacity.
Additional details and public registration information will be announced soon.
***Livestream of the services will be shared with the public.
All flowers and condolence cards on behalf of the Jackson family may be sent to:
Leak & Sons Funeral Home
7838 S. Cottage Grove Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60619
This interested in attending may register at JesseJacksonLegacy.com.
How to Watch
The Word Network will carry the services live on March 6 and 7. To watch the livestream go to Roku, Apple Music, Facebook Live, and YouTube, or on the iHeart App, or stream on thewordnetwork.org.
Friday, March 6
The People’s Celebration at House of Hope
House of Hope Church, 752 E. 114th St., Chicago IL
Music Overture: 10:30am EST
Service Begins: 11am EST
Service: 11am to 2pm EST
Saturday, March 7
Private Homegoing Ceremony at Rainbow PUSH Coalition
930 E. 50th St., Chicago, IL
Music Overture: 10:30am EST
Service: 11am to 2pm EST
Rev. Jackson died of supranuclear palsy, a severe neurodegenerative disease on February 17.
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