A History of Funeral Traditions for U.S. Presidents

In this conversation, Genevieve Keeney-Vazquez interviews Bob Boetticher Sr., a funeral director with 59 years of experience, about his career and the creation of the Presidential Exhibit at the National Museum of Funeral History.

They discuss the significance of presidential memorabilia and artifacts, the role of the Military District of Washington in state funerals, and the planning and execution of state funerals. They also explore the traditions and rituals involved in state funerals, including lying in state, the caisson, and the riderless horse. 

Key Takeaways

1.) Bob Boetticher Sr. has had a long and distinguished career as a funeral director, including serving as the funeral director for some of the nation's presidents.

2.)The National Museum of Funeral History has a Presidential Exhibit that showcases the rituals and traditions involved in burying a U.S. president.

3.) State funerals involve various components, including lying in state, the caisson, the riderless horse, and military honors such as the 21-gun cannon salute and the missing man formation.

4.) Presidential libraries often serve as the final resting place for former presidents, providing an educational opportunity for visitors.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Introduction
00:45 Bob Bederker Sr.'s Career as a Funeral Director
03:09 Creation of the Presidential Exhibit
04:56 Presidential Memorabilia and Artifacts
08:00 Significant Artifacts in the Presidential Exhibit
09:27 Military District of Washington's Role in State Funerals
10:22 Planning and Execution of State Funerals
13:12 State Funerals and Presidential Libraries
14:14 Lying in State and Lying in Repose
17:07 Caisson and Riderless Horse in State Funerals
18:37 Presidential Funeral Trains
21:31 Lying in State in the US Capitol
22:55 21 Gun Cannon Salute and Missing Man Formation
25:17 Taps and Its Significance
26:41 Family's Role in Planning a State Funeral
27:37 Favorite Exhibit in the Presidential Section
28:06 History of Presidential Funeral Trains
30:31 George Bush's Funeral Train
31:47 Significance of 41-41 and the Engineer June Noble
35:04 Invitation to Visit the National Museum of Funeral History
36:18 Conclusion

Plan your visit to the museum today at nmfh.org and take a journey through over 30,000 square feet of fascinating history.

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