Baroness Thatcher’s coffin rests in chapel overnight
17 April 2013
With the Queen’s consent, the body of Baroness Thatcher rested overnight in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft at Parliament on the eve of her funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral.
There was a short service for around 100 people, led by the Dean of Westminster, to receive the body of Baroness Thatcher in the chapel at 4pm on Tuesday 16 April. The service was attended by the family, senior figures from both Houses and members of staff who knew or worked closely with her. After the service, there was time for members of both Houses and parliamentary staff to pay their respects.
Baroness Thatcher specifically requested that the service and the resting overnight in the Palace of Westminster be a private occasion before her funeral.
The Speaker's Chaplain, the Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, kept vigil in the chapel through the night.
The coffin left Parliament at 10am in a procession to St Paul's Cathedral.
Further information
- View our Flickr set of Baroness Thatcher's coffin at Parliament
- The Chapel of St Mary Undercroft
- News: Lords pays tribute to Baroness Thatcher
- News: Death of Baroness Thatcher
- Read the transcript of Baroness Thatcher's maiden speech in the House of Lords
- Find out more about the statue of Baroness Thatcher in the Palace of Westminster
- Read the Lord Speaker's statement on the death of Baroness Thatcher