The National Government will accord a State Funeral to former Governor-General Sir Nathaniel Waena, GCMG, CSI, KStJ, on Friday 26 September 2026 at the Saint Barnabas Anglican Cathedral in Honiara, according to a statement published on the Solomon Islands Government portal on 23 September 2026.

The statement said Sir Nathaniel, a former Head of State, Minister, Member of Parliament and senior civil servant, died at the age of 81 on 19 September 2026 at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara following an illness.

According to the statement, a State Funeral is "the highest honour the Nation can bestow upon its distinguished sons and daughters", and is accorded under Government protocol and Westminster tradition to current and former Governors-General, Prime Ministers and national heroes.

The Government said Sir Nathaniel gave more than 40 years to public service, from classroom teacher to the highest office in the land, serving as Member of Parliament for Ulawa/Ugi, as a Cabinet Minister and as the 6th Governor-General from 2004 to 2009.

The statement set out the programme for Friday: the body will lie in state at the National Parliament Chamber for public viewing from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, followed by a State Funeral Service at 2:00 pm at the Saint Barnabas Anglican Cathedral.

The body will then be taken to his home village at Ahia, Ulawa Island, Makira-Ulawa Province for burial, the statement said, adding that details of the village burial service will be announced by the family.

Prime Minister Honourable Mathew Wale has directed that all national flags fly at half-mast from 19 September until sunset on the day of burial as a mark of respect and national mourning, the statement said, and the Government called on Solomon Islanders to join in honouring Sir Nathaniel's memory.

Source: Based on a statement titled "State Funeral Accorded to Former Governor-General, the Late Sir Nathaniel Waena, GCMG, CSI, KStJ", published by the Solomon Islands Government portal (Government Communication Unit) on 23 September 2026. https://solomons.gov.sb/state-funeral-accorded-to-former-governor-general-the-late-sir-nathaniel-waena-gcmg-csi-kstj/