To her final rest:Arbuckle casket borne home shoulder-high

A flag-draped coffin bearing the body of slain molly Fatty Arbuckle arrived home late Thursday evening, carried shoulder-high on the arms of a military honor guard.

Family and friends of the beloved fish followed the casket as it was carried into the office and placed on a catafalque atop the community aquarium, where Arbuckle will lie in state until her funeral Friday afternoon.

Arbuckle's son, Gozer, turned to owner Cari Heelan and asked, "Why are the soldiers walking so funny, so slowly?"

"Because they are so sad," came the reply.

The principal mourner, Heelan, led the family to the bier for prayers as a priest began to read from De Profundis, Psalm 130:

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn ... For with the Lord is kindess and with Him is plenteous redemption; And He will redeem Israel from all their inequities.

To Heelan the blessing, like the yards of black crepe draped around the aquarium, was a fitting tribute to a fallen fish. All across the nation Thursday night, hushed cities held candlelight vigils for a fish taken too soon. In London, the bells of Westminster Abbey rang out in the night, an honor usually reserved for the death of kings.

Arbuckle died Thursday morning after being attacked during childbirth. She will be laid to rest Friday afternoon in the National Cemetery.