

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funerals_in_the_United_States#Li...
Since the death of Henry Clay in 1852, the United States Capitol rotunda has served as the venue for honoring 31 military officers and politicians, including 11 presidents, with a lying in state. Not all who lie in state nor all for whom flags are flown at half-staff, receive a state funeral. In addition, the rotunda has been used for those who have lain in honor, the first in 1998 for the two victims of the Capitol shooting incident and again in 2005 for civil rights activist Rosa Parks.
The difference between lying in state and lying in honor is the designated guards of honor that keeps watch over the remains. When lying in state, five guards of honor, each representing the five branches of the Armed Forces, will periodically rotate and relieve the preceding set of guards of honor who watch over the remains. For recipients who have been designated to lie in honor, the United States Capitol Police will act as civilian guards of honor. No law, written rule, or regulation specifies who may lie in state. Use of the Capitol rotunda is controlled by a concurrent resolution of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Any person who has rendered distinguished service to the nation may lie in state if the family so wishes and the United States Congress approves. In the case of unknown soldiers, the president or the appropriate branch of the Armed Forces initiates the action.