The late NDP and Opposition Leader Jack Layton will be honoured with a state funeral that will be held at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday afternoon.

CTVNews.ca provides answers to some of the basic questions about state funerals held in Canada.

Who typically is honoured with a state funeral?

All past and present Canadian prime ministers and governors general are accorded state funerals, as are any active members of the federal cabinet.

Layton was never a prime minister, governor general or active cabinet minister. However, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered the option of a state funeral for the late NDP leader. His wife accepted and the government began making arrangements along with Layton's family.

A state funeral is not a mandatory event and can be declined.

What happens during a state funeral?

The format of a particular state funeral is determined by the family of the deceased in consultation with the government.

A state funeral typically includes a lying-in-state, procession, funeral service, committal and post-committal reception, according to the Government of Canada.

The family decides which elements of a state funeral are public and which are private.

Paul LeBlanc, the senior ceremonies officer for Canadian Heritage, recently told CTV News Channel that the wishes of the family are always respected when planning a state funeral.

"The family are in fact what rules," LeBlanc explained to CTV News Channel.

How many state funerals have been held in Canada?

Fifteen Canadian prime ministers have received state funerals, beginning with Sir John A. Macdonald in 1891. The most recent was Pierre Trudeau, who died in November 2000.

At least eight governors general have received the same honour, the most recent being Romeo LeBlanc, who passed away in June 2009.

State funerals have been arranged for at least 10 cabinet ministers who died in office. This last occurred in 1980, when Veterans Affairs Minister Daniel MacDonald passed away.

In April 1868, Montreal West MP Thomas D'Arcy McGee received a state funeral after he was assassinated.

Are state funerals typically held in Ottawa?

A lying-in-state always takes place in Ottawa, but state funerals can be held elsewhere.

For example, the state funeral for Layton is being held in Toronto, while the state funeral for LeBlanc was held in Memramcook, N.B.

The last state funeral to be held in Ottawa was for Ramon Hnatyshyn, the former governor general who passed away in 2002.