The details of Jack Layton's state funeral and public viewings have started to come together this afternoon. After lying in state at the House of Commons foyer on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, a funeral procession will depart Ottawa for Toronto at 2pm. Mourners will have the opportunity to pay tribute to Layton at city hall on Friday from 9:00am to 8:00pm and on Saturday from 9:00am to 11:00am.

The state funeral is scheduled for 2:00pm on Saturday at Roy Thomson Hall. That venue accommodates roughly 2,800, of which the CBC reports "1,700 will be invited guests, including MPs, senators, premiers, and Layton's family and friends." The likelihood that the remaining seats can handle members of the public hoping to pay their respects is pretty much nil, so officials are said to be working on overflow plans.

In lieu of flowers, the NDP and Layton's family have requested that donations be made to the Broadbent Institute.

Photo by Jackman Chiu