Introduction
The Protocol Committee has developed this guidance to reflect the types of funeral service the Government will organize or participate in. To assist in the development of this guidance, consultation took place with the Protocol Officer, the Department of Government Information Services, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
Underpinning this guidance is the premise that the prior wishes of the deceased or next of kin will take precedence over the policies expressed within this document for all funerals other than State Funerals.
The following categories of funeral have been identified for organization or participation by the Government, and have been established to clearly delineate the most senior positions within the community and to afford due respect to the level of office held.
State
Ministerial
Official
Recognition
Ceremonials Committee
The Ceremonials Committee is charged to oversee all Official Funeral Ceremonies that occur in TCI and comprises the following:
- The Clerk to the House of Assembly
- The Support Aide of the House of Assembly
- The Government Protocol Officer
- The Commissioner of Police
- The Bishop of State Church (Anglican)
- A Representative from the Government Information Service
- Head from the Church of Deceased
- Permanent Secretary of Finance – Ex-officio
1. STATE FUNERALS
State funerals are reserved for persons who hold the highest offices in the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
- The Governor and The Premier
Notwithstanding the Religious belief of the decease, State Funerals shall only be held at the State Church; The Anglican Church.
Upon official notification of death:
- The Clerk to the House of Assembly, or designate, after consultation with the Premier or designate, will ensure the release of an official public announcement of the death.
- A meeting of the Ceremonials Committee will be called.
- The Ceremonials Committee, in consultation with the next of kin and Funeral Director, will make the funeral arrangements.
- Heads of State will be immediately informed of the death of the Governor or the Premier, followed by a formal notice and invitation to the funeral.
Procedures
Following the official announcement of the death: The Ceremonials Committee will meet to address the following:
- The date and time of the funeral
- Public viewing/lying in state (order for viewing by precedence)
- Who will conduct the service
- Which clergy will be invited to participate
- Who will deliver the eulogy/sermon, tributes or special music
- Special words from the family
- The guest list of persons not on the Precedence List who should also receive invitations
- The involvement of RTCI Police Force Pall Bearers, Guard of Honour; and the Gun Carriage, the
- Police Band and Bugler
- The pace and route to be followed when transporting the casket/coffin to or from the viewing, to the church and to the cemetery or final resting place
- Any issues related to traffic control
- Printing of the programmes
- Transportation arrangements for the Governor /Premier and Government Ministers, and Overseas
- Dignitaries
The Permanent Secretary of Finance or designate will attend the Ceremonial Committee meetings in an ex officio capacity.
The Protocol Officer will keep a formal note of discussions and decisions.
An official period of mourning will be established by the Premier or designate, which will be inclusive of the time of the official notification of death until sundown on the day of the funeral.
The flags on all Government buildings will fly at half-mast from the time of the official announcement of death until sundown on the day of the funeral.
The Clerk to the House of Assembly, or designate, after consultation with the Premier or designate, will contact the Opposition Leader, and the Speaker of the House of Assembly to arrange for a Sitting of the House of Assembly to allow Members of the Legislature to pay tribute to the deceased.
The Speaker of the House, or designate, will communicate the time, format and duration of the Sitting. Ideally, the Sitting will be held on the day prior to the day of the funeral service.
The Clerk to the House of Assembly will communicate the date and time of an official minute of silence to be observed by all Ministries and Departments.
State Funerals must be held on a Wednesday and may be televised or broadcast over the radio after consultation with the local station operators to determine whether this can be accommodated.
The Government Information Service will be responsible for the following:
- Coordinating the printing of the Programme
- The Official Book of Condolences
- A Biography of the Deceased (in consultation with next of kin)
- An appropriate picture for use by the Media
- A Press Release
- Consultation with the relevant Permanent Secretary Publishing a draft statement from the Premier
Note: The Official Book of Condolences will be kept at the State Church during the funeral service and presented to the family at the conclusion of the service.
The Cost of the Funeral
All expenses associated with the funeral will be borne by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
1.3. Lying in State
The body shall be laid in the House of Assembly to be viewed by the General Public from 2:00 pm to 12:00 am, the day before the funeral.
1.4. The use of Flags
The Union Jack will drape the casket if the deceased is the Governor.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Flag will drape the casket if the deceased is the Premier.
1.5. Closing of Government Offices
All government offices, including the Cabinet Office, will close at 12 Noon on the day of the funeral.
Note: If the death of an individual covered under the State Funeral guidance occurs overseas, the Government will liaise with the family to assist with transporting the deceased back to Turks and Caicos Islands.
2. MINISTERIAL FUNERAL POLICY
Ministerial Funerals are reserved for serving Cabinet Ministers upon official notice of death, unless previously requested by the deceased or next of kin, the following will occur:
The Clerk to the House of Assembly or designate, after consultation with the Premier or designate, will ensure the release of an official public announcement of the death.
The Clerk to the House of Assembly or designate, will contact the next of kin and offer the Government’s assistance to arrange the Funeral.
Note: If the next of kin, or representative, decline the offer, this will end all assistance on the part of the Government (financial or otherwise).
A meeting of the Ceremonials Committee will be called.
The next of kin or a representative of the family will be invited to attend the Ceremonials
Committee meeting to give input into the organization of the funeral.
The funeral will be held at a location of the family’s choosing.
An Official Book of Condolences will be prepared and presented to the family at the conclusion of the service.
The Clerk to the House of Assembly or designate, after consultation with the Premier or designate, will contact the Opposition Leader, and the Speaker of the House of Assembly to arrange for a Sitting of the House of Assembly to allow members to pay tribute to the deceased.
2.1 Procedures
Upon the official announcement of the death of any serving Cabinet Minister, the following will occur:
Persons with whom the deceased shared a close working relationship will be immediately notified of the death.
The Ceremonials Committee will meet to address the following:
- The date and time of the funeral
- Who will deliver special tributes
- Seating arrangements
- A list of persons who would be invited from the Precedence List.
- The guest list of persons not on the Precedence List to receive an invitation
- Issues related to traffic control
The Government Information Services will be responsible for the following:
- Coordinating the development of the Programs
- Coordinating the drafting of the Biography of the Deceased
- Drafting A Press Release
- Coordinate along with the family in the selection of an appropriate picture for use in the Media
- In consultation with the relevant Permanent Secretary publish a draft statement from the Premier
- The preparation and presentation of an Official Book of Condolences at the conclusion of the service.
2.2. Flags
On the day of the funeral, flags on all Government buildings will fly at half-mast from sun up until sundown.
If the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is involved in the funeral, the Turks and Caicos
Islands Flag will drape the casket.
2.3. Lying in State
The body shall be laid in the House of Assembly to be viewed by the General Public from 2:00 pm to 12:00 am, the day before the funeral.
The Ceremonials Committee may request that the RTCPF Guard of Honour be provided and that the RTCPF Police Band be involved in the Funeral.
Closing of Government Offices
In the event of the death of a Cabinet Minister, the Ministry in which the Minister served may close two hours prior to the funeral to allow staff to attend.
The Cost of the Funeral
If involved in the organization of the funeral, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government will pay the full cost of the funeral.
Note. If the death of a Cabinet Minister occurs overseas, the Government will liaise with the family to assist with transporting the deceased back to Turks and Caicos Islands.
3. OFFICIAL FUNERAL POLICY
Official funerals are reserved for the following positions:
- Speaker of the House of Assembly or the Opposition Leader
- All Members of The Legislature
- Former Premiers or Former Governors (that were resident in Turks and Caicos Islands at the time of death)
(Specific procedures for Members of The Legislature and Former Premiers and Governors are captioned below).
Upon official notice of the death of the Speaker of the House of Assembly or the Opposition Leader, unless previously requested otherwise by the deceased or next of kin, the following will occur:
- The Clerk to the House of Assembly or designate, after consultation with the Premier or designate, will ensure the release of an official public announcement of the death.
- The Clerk to the House of Assembly or designate, will contact the next of kin and offer the Government’s assistance to arrange the funeral.
Note: If the next of kin, or representative, decline the offer, this will end all assistance on the part of the Government.
- A meeting of the Ceremonials Committee will be called.
- The next of kin or a representative of the family will be invited to attend the Ceremonials Committee meeting to give input into the organization of the funeral.
- The funeral will be held at a location of the family’s choosing.
- An Official Book of Condolences will be prepared and presented to the family at the conclusion of the service. The cost of the book will be borne by the Government.
- The Clerk to the House of Assembly or designate, after consultation with the Premier or designate will contact the Opposition Leader, and the Speaker of the House of Assembly to arrange for a Sitting of the House of Assembly to allow members to pay tribute to the deceased.
3.1. PROCEDURE
Upon the official announcement of the death of the Speaker of the House of Assembly or Opposition Leader, the following will occur:
The Clerk to the House of Assembly, or designate, will ensure the release of an official public announcement of the death.
The Ceremonials Committee will meet to address the following:
- The date and time of the funeral
- Who will deliver special tributes
- Seating arrangements and a list of persons who could be invited from the Precedence List
- The guest list of persons not on the Precedence List to receive an invitation
- Issues related to traffic control
The Government Information Service will be responsible for the following:
- Programs
- Biography of the Deceased
- A Press Release
- Appropriate pictures for use in the Media
- Preparation of a statement for the Premier
- The preparation and presentation of an Official Book of Condolences at the conclusion of the service
The Cost of the Funeral
If involved in the organization of the funeral, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government will pay half of the costs of the funeral.
Flags
On the day of the funeral, flags on all Government buildings will fly at half-mast from sun up until sundown.
If the Turks and Caicos Islands RTCPF is involved in the funeral, the Turks and Caicos Islands Flag will drape the casket.
The Ceremonials Committee may request that the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Guard of Honour be provided and that the Police Band be involved in the funeral.
4. SERVING MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE
Upon the official announcement of the death of any serving Member of The Legislature, the following will occur:
The Clerk to the House of Assembly or designate, will contact the next of kin and offer Government assistance.
Note: If the next of kin, or representative, decline the offer, this will end all assistance on the part of the Government.
The Clerk to the House of Assembly or designate will outline the terms of that assistance which may include;
Assistance with seating arrangements and a list of persons who could be invited from the
Precedence List
Assistance from the Police Service with traffic control
The date and time of the funeral so that the Government’s input can be determined in a timely manner
The assistance of the Department of Government Information Service who will be responsible for the following:
- Biography of the Deceased
- Press Release
- Preparation of a statement for the Premier
- The preparation and presentation of an Official Book of condolences at the conclusion of the service
- The Clerk to the House of Assembly or designate, after consultation with the Premier or designate, will contact the Opposition Leader, and the Speaker of the House of Assembly to arrange for a Sitting of the House of Assembly to allow members to pay tribute to the deceased.
- The Cost of the Funeral
If involved in the organization of the funeral, the Government will pay half of the funeral cost.
5. FORMER STATE OFFICIALS
Upon the official notice of death of any former Premier or former Governor that was resident on the island, the following will occur:
The Clerk to the House of Assembly or designate, will contact the next of kin and offer Government assistance. Note: If the next of kin, or representative, decline the offer, this will end all assistance on the part of the Government.
The Clerk to the House of Assembly or designate will outline the terms of that assistance which may include:
Assistance with seating arrangements and a list of persons who could be invited from the Precedence List
Assistance from the Police Service with traffic control
The date and time of the funeral so that the Government’s input can be determined in a timely manner
The assistance of the Department of Government Information Service who will be responsible for the following:
- Biography of the Deceased
- Press Release
- Preparation of a statement for the Premier
- The preparation and presentation of an Official Book of condolences at the conclusion of the service
5.1. The Cost of the Funeral
If the Government is involved in the organization of the funeral, the Government will pay half of the funeral home costs.
Recognition Funeral Policy
Recognition funerals will be at the discretion of the Premier after consultation with the Opposition Leader.
The intent of a Recognition Funeral is to honour the contribution of individuals deemed to have made a significant contribution to, or having given outstanding service to the community of Turks and Caicos Islands; locally or internationally.
Procedures
At the official notice of death the following will occur:
The Clerk to the House of Assembly will contact the family to officially offer condolences. This will be followed by a written condolence on behalf of the Government.
The services of the Protocol Officer and a Representative of the Department of Government Information Service will be offered to assist the family with seating arrangements and the preparation of a Book of Condolences.
A formal contingent of the House of Assembly will be formed to attend the funeral.
A member of the Government and Opposition will offer tribute at the funeral on behalf of the
Government, Opposition and people of Turks and Caicos Islands.
All other arrangements will be left to the family.
Note: An Official Book of Condolences will be prepared and offered to the family at the conclusion of the service.