Confirmation has come that the State Funeral for the late Basdeo Panday will take place on Tuesday January 9th 2024 at SAPA.

According to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister – Communications, it is scheduled to begin at 8:30am.

It also announced that Mr. Panday’s body will lie in Honour, as a former Prime Minister, at the following locations for public viewing:

• The Red House (Rotunda area) Friday January 5th 2024 from 10am to 5:30pm
• Southern Academy for the Performing Arts Monday January 8th 2024 from 9am – 5:30pm

On Friday January 5th 2024, Mr. Panday’s body will be transported to the Red House under military escort.

The procession will begin at 8:45am from Broadway, Port of Spain, then on to Independence Square south, proceeding west to Abercromby Street and north to the Red House.

Meanwhile, according to Newsday, Mr Panday will be cremated according to Hindu rites at the Shore of Peace Cremation Site (Mosquito Creek) in La Romaine.

Mr Panday passed away on January 1st 2024 at a hospital in Florida.

His body returned to T&T last night on a Caribbean Airlines flight.

It was met by members of the Defence Force, who draped the coffin in a National Flag before carrying it to the hearse.

Mr Panday’s funeral will be the first State Funeral to be conducted under Hindu rites.