Hundreds of people paid their last tribute to former President SR Nathan, as his body lies in state at Parliament House on Thursday morning.
Several senior citizens were seen waiting since 6.30am in the queue while students from several primary schools in uniform were also present there.
President Tony Tan and his wife Mary arrived at around 10 am at the Parliament House. They were the first to pay their respects, bowing three times before the casket.
"Mr S R Nathan dedicated his life to Singapore. Whenever there was a need, he always stepped up and did what was necessary," Dr. Tan told TODAY Online.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also visited the Parliament House to pay his last respects to SR Nathan.
The 92-year-old president was admitted to the hospital on July 31 after he suffered a stroke. The doctors said he was in critical condition but he finally passed away at 9.48 pm on Monday.
Nathan's body was taken to the Parliament House in the morning after an emotional send-off from his Ceylon Road home.
Politicians, friends and colleagues were also seen visiting Nathan's home to pay their tributes. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, Madam Ho Ching arrived at there for the wake.
Other ministers including Minister for Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, Deputy Prime Ministers Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob also went to his home to show their respect.
THE STATE FUNERAL SERVICE
The State Funeral Procession for the late former President S R Nathan will start at 2 pm on Friday.
Reports said the procession will pass notable landmarks such as City Hall, Fullerton Hotel and NTUC Centre en route to the University Cultural Centre at National University of Singapore.
Members of the public, who are willing to pay their last respect, can line the procession route from Parliament House to UCC. But the authorities have advised them to stay on the public footpaths for their own safety.
The organizing committee issued a press release saying the Funeral Service will be held at the UCC from 3 pm to 5 pm.
The procession will be followed by Chief Mourner, Osith Ramanathan, Nathan's son and other family members. The accompanying pallbearers will include Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance, Lawrence Wong, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Masagos Zulkifli, and several other representatives.
The press release added that the Funeral Service will be attended by family members of the late president, the president of Singapore, the prime minister, cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, the judiciary and the diplomatic corps. Singaporeans from all divisions will also be invited to attend the service.
The State Funeral Service will be broadcast live on Channel 5, Channel 8, Suria, Vasantham, and Channel News Asia from 2.15 pm. Radio will also telecast the entire funeral service.
People can also visit www.channelnewsasia.com/rememberingsrnathan, and toggle.sg to watch the live broadcast of it.
Once the Funeral Service is completed at UCC, Nathan will be taken to Mandai Crematorium for the private cremation service.
