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Desmond Tutu: Archbishop’s body lies in state in ‘cheapest coffin available’

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Hundreds of mourners stood in long queues on Thursday, some singing, others carrying flowers and writing on tribute books in memory of Tutu – who requested to be buried in a cheap coffin and didn’t want a lavish funeral.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu's simple pine coffin has been returned to a morgue ahead of his state funeral on Saturday
Image:Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s simple pine coffin has been returned to a morgue ahead of his state funeral on Saturday
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The coffin carrying the body of Archbishop Desmond Tutu has been returned to a morgue after lying-in-state in St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town.

Mourners will be invited to pay their last respects to South Africa’s anti-apartheid hero for one more day on Friday before his state funeral on Saturday.

Tutu’s body had been lying-in-state in the cathedral where he preached against racial injustice.

Hundreds of mourners stood in long queues on Thursday, some singing, others carrying flowers and writing on tribute books in memory of the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Hundreds of mourners paid their respects to Tutu on Thursday
Image:Hundreds of mourners paid their respects to Desmond Tutu on Thursday
Two of the anti-apartheid hero's daughters consoled each other outside the cathedral today
Image:Two of the anti-apartheid hero’s daughters consoled each other outside the cathedral today

Tutu, who was South Africa’s fist black archbishop, requested “no lavish spending” on his funeral and he even “asked that the coffin be the cheapest available”, his foundation said.

Desmond Tutu: Archbishop’s body lies in state in ‘cheapest coffin available’ | World News | Sky News

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