Nelson lies in state and is buried at St Paul's

Background. Nelson died during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. He had requested a private burial at Burnham Thorpe unless the King desired otherwise. The government announced a state funeral for 9 January 1806, preceded by a three-day lying-in-state at the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich, a retirement home for naval veterans.

Lying in State. Nelson's coffin was initially locked in the Record Room at Greenwich Hospital. On 4 January, it was moved to the adjacent Painted Hall for the public lying-in-state. A private viewing for the Prince of Wales occurred that afternoon, preceding the formal three-day period announced for the funeral.

Funeral Procession. On 8 January, boats gathered at Greenwich Hospital wharf for a river procession. The coffin was loaded onto the State Barge of Charles II, rowed by sailors from HMS Victory. The procession moved upriver to Westminster, disembarking at Whitehall Stairs, while dignitaries proceeded to Palace Yard Stairs for carriages.

Interment at St Paul's. The funeral was the first true state funeral at St Paul's Cathedral. The procession arrived at 1:45 pm, followed by the funeral car. Nelson's coffin was carried through the nave to the choir by six vice admirals, accompanied by the singing of William Croft's Funeral Sentences.