House Speaker Michael Busch To Lie In State, Funeral Details

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Marylanders can pay their respect to "the people's politician," Maryland House Speaker Michael Busch, who will lie in state at the Maryland Statehouse rotunda next week before funeral services. Busch represented the Annapolis area in the assembly until his death April 7 at age 72 from pneumonia.

Busch, an Anne Arundel Democrat who was the longest-serving House speaker in state history, was a member of the state House of Delegates representing District 30A. He was sworn in as the speaker of the state House in January 2003.

The speaker of the House will lie in state at the Maryland State House from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 15, and from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 16. During these times, members of the public are invited to pay their respects at the State House, 100 State Circle, Annapolis.

On Tuesday, a procession will depart from the State House to St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 Bestgate Road. There may be rolling road closures along Rowe Boulevard during this time.
The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Interment will be private.

At the conclusion of the service, there will be a reception, open to the public, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the Atkinson Tower at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Rowe Boulevard. A shuttle will run between the gold parking lot at the stadium and the church.

In lieu of flowers, the Busch family asks that memorials in the speaker's name be made to The Michael E. Busch Memorial Fund at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401; to Annapolis Senior High School, 2700 Riva Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401; or Saint Mary's High School, 113 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

Condolences can be sent online at John M. Taylor Funeral Home's website.

Parking, Funeral Protocol

Visitors should park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. A free shuttle will run between the stadium and the State House. Members of the public who wish to pay their respects should be prepared for forecasted weather conditions. There may be lines queuing outside of the State House doors.

Please note that no flowers, sealed envelopes or other offerings will be permitted into the State House. All visitors must go through security screening, including metal detectors. You must show identification to enter the building.

The public should be respectful while participating in the viewing. Protocol requires that cell phones and other devices be turned off while in the State House.

Visitors are asked to be patient during this event.