Mary Lincoln funeral

[LincolnToddFan]

Laurie...I forgot to address your question about the funerals of First Ladies.

Eleanor Roosevelt had a private internment at Hyde Park as per her expressed wishes. President and Mrs Kennedy attended. It was a graveside ceremony.

Bess Truman had very quiet rites. I know that all the surviving First Ladies save Jacqueline Onassis attended it.

Pat Nixon's funeral was so strictly private that the only thing I can remember about it was how sad I felt for Richard Nixon. He publically completely broke down.

Ted Kennedy wanted his sister-in-law Jackie to have a State funeral but Caroline Kennedy firmly resisted. Still, her funeral Mass at the Jesuit Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola in NYC and her internment at Arlington Cemetery was no small private affair, like she is said to have wanted.

Lady Bird Johnson had what seemed to me to be closest to a State funeral, next to Jackie's. It was huge, with many dignitaries in attendance.

I don't know what Mrs. Reagan's plans are-of course other than that she will be laid next to President Reagan at the Reagan Library.