Former Barbados Prime Minister to be given state funeral on July 14
Former Barbados Prime Minister Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford hailed as “the father Prime Minister” of the Social Partnership and one of the early voices on climate change, will be accorded a State Funeral on July 14.
The 86-year-old Sir Lloyd, who died on Monday, served as the island’s fourth prime minister from 1987 to 1994 and later served as Barbados’ first resident ambassador in Beijing, China, from 2010 to 2013.
Colin Jordan, the Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector Minister, said the funeral service will be held at the St. Peter’s Parish Church, located along the island's north-west coast. It will be followed by a military procession to the interment in the family plot at St. James Cemetery in St. James.
He said the funeral service was being planned following Sir Lloyd’s wishes, which he wrote several years ago.
Jordan said condolence books are available at Parliament Buildings, Government Headquarters, and the headquarters of the opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP).
Additionally, condolence books will be placed at overseas missions for diaspora members. There will also be a virtual condolence book for those who want to express sympathy.
Jordan said Barbadians are expected to line the route and pay their respects as the cortege passes along the route to the Speightstown and that the casket will be transferred from the hearse to an awaiting gun carriage, weather permitting.
Jordan added that screens would be erected in National Heroes Square and at other strategic points to allow Barbadians to view the service due to the space constraints at the church.
“He would have wanted as many people as possible to be participants not for his glory but because he believed that ordinary people should be involved,” he said.
“We believe that it is important both to demonstrate the connection and also, in some ways, to educate young Barbadians as to the role Sir Lloyd played in this country. We need to recognise not just as a Government or a Cabinet Office but as a nation Sir Lloyd’s contribution to the effort to educate us and lift us to another level,” Jordan stated.
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