The funeral of Alex Salmond is set to be a “dignified and fitting” homage to his life, as stated by the minister who will officiate the service. The Reverend Ian McEwan, a family friend, will conduct the private ceremony at Strichen Parish Church at 1:00 PM, close to Salmond’s home in Aberdeenshire. Salmond passed away recently at the age of 69 due to a heart attack while attending a conference in North Macedonia.

The ceremony will be attended by family members and close friends, with a private burial following the service. Eulogies will be given by Kenny MacAskill, the acting leader of the Alba Party; Fergus Ewing, a former colleague from the SNP cabinet; and Christina Hendry, Salmond’s niece. Although First Minister John Swinney has expressed condolences through a motion submitted to the Scottish Parliament, he will not be present at the funeral. A spokesperson indicated that due to the family’s wishes, the funeral will remain private, with thoughts from both the First Minister and the Scottish government directed toward Salmond’s family and friends during this tough time.

Reverend McEwan, who also officiated Salmond’s father Robert’s funeral in 2017, reflected on Salmond’s public persona as being vibrant and self-assured while also highlighting his deep concern for everyday people. He aims to provide solace to the family through a ceremony that respects their privacy amidst their grief. The minister noted that Salmond’s unexpected death added “a layer of complexity” for those left behind.

“There’s an incredible amount of sorrow and distress,” Mr. McEwan remarked. He praised Salmond’s family as an inspiring presence even during such trying times. After his passing, Salmond was returned to Scotland from North Macedonia via a private flight arranged by businessman Sir Tom Hunter. At the time of his heart attack, he was participating in a conference organized by the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy.

In a heartfelt statement from his wife Moira and siblings Margaret, Gail, and Bob, they described him as “a devoted and loving husband,” “a fiercely loyal brother,” “a proud and thoughtful uncle,” and “a faithful and trusted friend.” On Wednesday, Members of the Scottish Parliament are expected to honor Salmond during discussions related to the motion of condolence put forth by the First Minister. Meanwhile, Labour is advocating for substantial increases in public spending and taxation amidst ongoing debates regarding universal benefits provided by the SNP.