Will this be the biggest funeral in history? Mandela to have 10-day state memorial and Obama, Clinton and Cameron are expected to attend service on Sunday, December 15

Elaborate funeral plans have been set in motion in South Africa following the death of the country’s revered first black president Nelson Mandela.

The memorial, expected to last ten days, will be an unparalleled event in South Africa’s history, drawing a plethora of foreign dignitaries of every stripe, royals and a smattering of celebrities.  

South African President Jacob Zuma ordered the nation's flags to be flown at half-mast beginning today and to remain that way until after Mandela's funeral, which he announced would be held next Sunday.

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Iconic funeral: Anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela will lie in state for several days next week before a massive funeral service that will draw numerous heads of state and celebrities

The public will have a chance to say goodbye to their beloved father figure during a memorial service at the Johannesburg soccer stadium (above) that hosted the 2010 World Cup

Fitting location: Mandela's body is expected to lie in state in the Union Buildings in Pretoria (above) where he was inaugurated as President

Soldiers guard Mandela's home in Qunu, where he will be laid to rest in accordance with his final wishes at a service on Sunday, December 15

Hours after his death last night, a black SUV-type vehicle containing Mandela's coffin, draped in South Africa's flag, pulled away from Mandela's home after midnight, escorted by military motorcycle outriders, to take the body to a military morgue in Pretoria, the capital. 

Desmond Tutu, a long-time friend of Mr Mandela and former archbishop of Cape Town is expected to hold the service, which will be attended by all living US presidents, past and present.

The White House said last night that President Barack Obama is expected to travel to South Africa to bid farewell to Mandela along with numerous other world leaders including British Prime Minister David Cameron.

 

Several celebrities who had personal ties to the late great leader, such as Oprah Winfrey and U2 frontman Bono, are also expected to attend the service. 

Guest of honor: White House announced tonight that President Obama will travel to South Africa to bid farewell to Mandela

In honour: Following the announcement of the death of Mandela, former President Bill Clinton, who is set to attend the state funeral, tweeted this 2007 picture captioned: 'I will never forget my friend Madiba'

Preparations for funeral are expected to bring the country of 53 million to a virtual standstill. 

The sheer number of dignitaries, including numerous heads of state, is sure to spell a logistical nightmare for the South African government, which will be tasked with providing air-tight security during the solemn event.

According to several sources involved in planning the state funeral, the 10-day occasion will combine both Western traditions and those of Mandela's native clan, the Thembu.

At some stage during days one to four, Thembu elders are expected to gather for a first ceremony called 'the closing of the eyes' either at his home or in the mortuary.

After the ceremony, it is believed his body will be embalmed at the mortuary, thought to be a military hospital in Pretoria.

No formal public events are expected to take place until day five, December 10, when mourners will have a chance to say goodbye to their beloved father figure during a service at the 94,000-capacity Johannesburg soccer stadium that hosted the 2010 World Cup.

It is not clear whether Mandela's casket will be taken there. 

On days six to eight, December 11 to 13, the anti-apartheid hero's body is earmarked to lie in state in a glass-topped coffin at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where he was inaugurated as president on May 10, 1994.

Joining: Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, eho met with then-94-year-old Mandela last August, will also journey to South Africa  

Representing Britain: Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha, seen with Mandela at a photo shoot for his 90th birthday in London, will pay their respects

On day nine, plans have been made for a military aircraft to fly Mr Mandela to Mthatha, the main town in the South African province of Eastern Cape.

His casket will then be taken by the military on a gun carriage to Qunu, his home village, where the former leader spent his childhood years.

To mark the formal passing of responsibility to his family, the South African flag that is expected to drape his coffin will be replaced by a traditional Xhosa blanket.

Later, ANC leaders, local chiefs and Mandela's family are expected to gather for a private night vigil.

On the final day, Mandela will finally be laid to rest in the grounds of his family home in Qunu, where thousands of people, including heads of state will gather for the state funeral.

Giving thanks: All living former US leaders, including George W. Bush, pictured meeting Mandela in 2001, have been invited

Royal representation: The British Royal family, including the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will fly to South Africa to honour Mandela.

Mr Mandela often spoke with great love of his first home where his family members, including his children who predeceased him, rest.

The family plot is located just a few yards from the home he shared with his mother as a child and the one which he built following his release from Victor Verster Prison.

He loved Qunu 'in the unconditional way a child loves his first home' and spent holidays and special occasions here.

Star-studded event: The memorial service is expected to draw many celebrities who had a personal relationship with Mandela, including Oprah Winfrey pictured here in 2002

Friends: U2 front man Bono, with Mandela at his Johannesburg home in 2002, is thought to have been invited

Source: The dailymail.co.uk/news