The historic Governor’s Carriage is operated and maintained by the National Lancers (established in 1836), serving as a premier ceremonial asset for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
While the primary mission of the Governor’s Carriage is to support the Governor of Massachusetts during official state and ceremonial events, it is available for rental for private events—such as weddings, parades, and historical celebrations—provided its use does not interfere with its military and state missions.
Important Requirement: All rental applications must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the scheduled event.
Rental Information
The caisson rental fee is $3,000 per day.
The rental includes:
- Carriage use,
- 2 horses,
- certified riders/crew, and all travel costs within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- For events held outside of Massachusetts, additional travel, transport, and logistics costs will be assessed and charged.
How to Book the Governor’s Carriage
Getting started with your rental is a simple, three-step process outlined in full within the Governor’s Carriage Packet:
- Step 1: Download & Complete the Rental Request Form (Min. 14 Days Notice)
- Step 2: Submit Form to info@nationallancers.org for Review & Reservation
- Step 3: Submit $1,000,000 COI, Sign Rental Agreement, & Finalize Payment
To request the Massachusetts Military Funeral Honors horse-drawn caisson, complete the Caisson Rental Request Form and submit it along with the required DD214 documentation.
Email completed requests to:
info@nationallancers.org
Our carriage rentals deliver an authentic, ceremonial experience backed by the professionalism of the Massachusetts National Guard.
Capacity & Operational Rules
- Carriage Capacity: Strictly limited to a maximum of 4 passengers at any time.
- Travel Distance: The maximum distance for carriage transit between the designated pickup and drop-off locations is 1 mile.
- Crew and Escort: Every rental includes a trained and certified crew from the National Lancers, consisting of the carriage, support equipment, and two (2) horses with riders.
Site & Safety Requirements
To ensure the safety of our horses, crew, and passengers, applicants must meet the following spatial and logistics requirements:
- Staging Area: A clear, flat staging area of at least 100’ x 100’ is required on-site. This space is necessary for the transport trailers to park, unload, and safely set up the carriage and horses.
- Public Roads & Police Details: If the carriage route involves travel on any public roads, the applicant must coordinate and secure a local police detail to escort the horses and carriage.
- Site Accessibility: The applicant must guarantee that the event location, route, and staging areas are fully accessible and safe for carriage navigation.
The Massachusetts Military Funeral Honors Program will review each request and coordinate with the funeral home, family and appropriate military organizations as necessary.
Liability & Insurance Coverage
The applicant assumes all liability for the event. While the National Lancers provide a fully trained and certified crew, you are responsible for maintaining a safe environment around the carriage, horses, and personnel.
- Certificate of Insurance (COI): Applicants must submit a Certificate of Insurance showing a minimum of $1,000,000 in general liability coverage, naming the “Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Military Division” as an additional insured. This COI must be verified and approved by the Rental Coordinator prior to final authorization.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation by Applicant: Cancellations must be submitted in writing or via email to the Rental Coordinator no later than three (3) days prior to the scheduled event.
- Please note: If a cancellation occurs within three (3) days of the event, the renter will forfeit 25% of their reservation deposit.
- Cancellation by the Massachusetts National Guard: The Guard reserves the right to cancel any rental agreement without notice if the carriage or crew is required for an urgent military mission, state emergency, or state ceremonial duty. In these rare occurrences, a full refund will be issued if rescheduling is not possible.