Ginsburg Uses Same Catafalque Used for President Abraham Lincoln

By M.G. Alison. First Posted: Sep 26, 2020 06:05 AM EDT

History might as well be the middle name of the late Justice Ruth Baden Ginsburg as she continues to make history even in her death.

Ginsburg is honored as the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, and the catafalque used for her coffin is the same one that was hastily made for no other than President Abraham Lincoln after his assassination in April 1865.

A catafalque is like a decorated wooden framework used to support a distinguished person's coffin during a funeral or while lying in state.

Lincoln's catafalque is a base made of rough pine boards nailed together measuring 7 feet, 1 inch long, 2 feet, 6 inches wide, and 2 feet high, while the attached base is 8 feet, 10 inches long, 4 feet, 3½ inches wide and 2 inches tall. A black cloth covers it.

This same catafalque is often used for most memorial services at the Capitol, and it was last used for Rep. John Lewis in July.

Ginsburg's flag-draped casket was transferred by motorcade across the street to the Capitol from the Supreme Court, where she had laid in repose for two days at the top of the Supreme Court's front steps.

Ginsburg succumbed to pancreatic cancer last September 18. She was 87 years old.

Aside from being the first woman to lie in state at the Capitol, she is also the second Supreme Court justice accorded that honor. The first was former Chief Justice William Howard Taft, who also served as the U.S. president from 1909 to 1913.

Members of the Congress, friends, family, and top military officials have gone to the Capitol to pay their respects to the cultural icon - a woman who changed American law and the perceptions of a women's power.

Both presidential nominees, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, were among those who paid their respects along with their respective wives, First Lady Melania Trump and Jill Biden.

Biden was the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee when Ginsburg was confirmed 27 years ago this month. He said that they had wonderful memories together.

Sen. Kamala Harris, Biden's vice presidential running mate, also paid her respects and said that Ginsburg cleared a path for women in civic life.

Harris noted that Ginsburg made America see what leadership looks like, in the law, and in terms of public service. Harris added that Ginsburg also broke many barriers, and she did this intentionally, knowing that women like her could follow in her footsteps.

As the first Jewish woman to lie in state at the Capitol, Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt of the Adas Israel Congregation in Washington said that Ginsburg changed the course of American law brick by brick and case by case. And today, the rabbi said she makes history again.

Ginsburg will be buried at the Arlington National Cemetery next week. She will be laid to rest beside her husband, Martin, who passed away in 2010. An interment ceremony will also be held then.