The flag-draped coffins of French politician Simone Veil (right) and her husband Antoine Veil are displayed at the French Holocaust memorial in Paris, Friday, June 29, 2018. A year after the death of Simone Veil, the guarded casket of the Holocaust survivor who became one of France’s most revered politicians, lies at the Holocaust Memorial in Paris, along with that of husband Antoine, so the public can pay homage ahead of the couple’s burial on Sunday at the Pantheon, where French heroes are interred. (Photo by THIBAULT CAMUS / AP)
PARIS — Holocaust survivor Simone Veil, who became one of France’s most revered politicians, is getting the rare honor of being buried at the Pantheon, where French heroes are interred, one year after her death.
Veil is being inhumed Sunday at the Paris monument with her husband Antoine, who died in 2013, in a symbolic ceremony in the presence of her family and dignitaries. French President Emmanuel Macron will make a speech.
Her casket has been visible for two days at the Holocaust Memorial in Paris so the public could pay homage.
Veil repeatedly broke barriers for women in politics. She was a firm believer in European unification and well known in France for spearheading the legalization of abortion.
She is the fourth woman to be honored at the Pantheon, along with 72 men.