Belize is sparing no expense in a state funeral for former Governor-General Dame Elmira Gordon, whose remains arrived in the CARICOM country on Monday (January 18).

According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, all Belizean flags have been decreed to fly at half-mast for the three-day mourning period in honour of Gordon. The 90-year old died on January 1 in Inglewood, Los Angeles.

“Prime Minister John Briceño has designated a period of mourning to commence [Monday], January 18, to Wednesday, January 20, in honour of Dr Dame Elmira Minita Gordon, Belize’s first governor-general,”

Dr Gordon will be buried on Wednesday at the Lord Ridge Cemetery in Belize City.

Tuesday’s activities were marked by a morning procession and later, the body of Dame Gordon lying in state at Government House.

On Wednesday, churches across Belize have been urged to mark this solemn occasion by tolling church bells at 9:30 am to signal the start of the state funeral procession.

The ecumenical service, being held at the Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist in Belize City, will begin with a procession at the base of the Swing Bridge on North Front Street at 9:15 am before a 10:00 am commencement.

Due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions still in effect in Belize, all events are closed to the public.

The public is instead invited to view live coverage of the three-day event via the Facebook page of the Government of Belize Press Office or via live television broadcasts from all major media houses.

Gordon, who became the first female head-of-state in the Caribbean and wider UK Commonwealth, served as Governor-General of Belize from the country’s independence in 1981 to 1993.