The Government of the Republic of Liberia has announced the funeral arrangements for Honorable Dr. Edward B. McClain, Jr.  Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Chief of Staff to the President of Liberia. 

According to a Foreign Minister release from Wednesday, August 17, to Friday, August 19, the Book of Condolence for the late Minister McClain will be opened in the Foyer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 11:0o’clock ante meridian to 3 o’clock post meridian.

On Saturday, August 20, at 4 o’clock post meridian, the body of the late Dr. McClain will be conveyed under appropriate military escort from the Samuel A. Stryker Funeral Home in Sinkor, to the Providence Baptist Church on the Ashmun Street where wake keeping will be held from 5 o’clock pm to 9 pm.

The release further discloses that while enroute to the Providence Baptist Church, the body of the fallen Minister will be conveyed briefly on the grounds of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On Monday, August 22, funeral rites will be said over the remains of the late Honorable Dr. Edward B. McClain, Jr. at the Providence Baptist Church at 10 o’clock ante meridian, to be followed by internment at the Melton Family Plot in Upper Caldwell.

The release stressed that as a mark of last respect and tribute to the late Minister of State for President Affairs, the President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has declared a period of mourning during which time the national ensign of the Republic will be flown at half-mast from all public buildings from Monday, August 8, to Monday, August 22, 2016.

Meanwhile, below is the protocol for the signing of the Book of Condolence for Honorable Dr. Edward Benjamin McClain, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Liberia beginning Wednesday, August 17 through Friday, August 19, 2016.

On Wednesday, August 17, at 11:00 am -11:30 am, the President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Members of the Cabinet will sign the book; while at 11:45am – 12:15pm, the Vice President and Members of the Senate will be ushered in to sign.

At 12:30pm - 1:30pm, the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives will sign the Book of Condolence; and at 1:45pm - 2:15pm, His Honor the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia will come in to sign.

At 2:30pm – 3:00pm, the Doyen and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Members of the Consular Corps, the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations and Heads of International Organization will sign the Book of Condolence.

On Thursday, August 18, at 10:00am – 10:30am Former Officials of Government will sign; while between 10:45am – 11:15 am Religious Leaders will sign. At 11:30am - 12:00pm, Heads of Public Corporations, Autonomous Agencies, Bureaus and Commissions will come in to sign the Book.

Also on Thursday, at 12:15pm – 12:45pm, the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs family will be allowed to sign; while from 1:00pm – 1:30pm, other Officials of Government will follow. 

From 1:45 pm – 2:15pm, Heads of Political Parties are invited to sign the Book of Condolence; followed at 2:30pm – 3:00pm by Heads of Civil Society Organizations.

On Friday, August 19, from 11:00am – 11:30am, the Business Community will sign; while from 11:45 am – 12:15 pm, Friends will follow, and finally from 12:30pm – 1:00pm, the General Public will have the privilege to sign the Book of Condolence.