What happens when a former First Lady dies?

[VolcanoJen]

Even Lady Bird Johnson is still alive, so I imagine it's been awhile since a former First Lady passed away. Pat Nixon was the last First Lady to die, I believe, and her situation was different.

Does a former First Lady receive any kind of national recognition or honor upon passing? And, since curiousity is getting to me, is there any kind of protocol if current First Lady dies? Has it ever happened before?

[LisaM]

1. I think Jackie was the last First Lady to die....

and I don't recall that there was any sort of official funeral.

[VolcanoJen]

3. You're right... I had forgotten.

Now I'm wondering if it's really up to the former First Lady. Jackie was notoriously reclusive after Jack's death, and she did remarry, so I'm wondering if the family turned down any kind of national recognition, if there was any kind of option offered.

I have no idea, really, why I'm wondering... just something else to think about, I guess...

[CatWoman]

4. I remember a little

especially John Jr. kneeling and kissing her grave.

[playahata1]

9. I remember the funeral being a private service, just family and friends.

n/t

[VolcanoJen]

10. When they interred her at Arlington, it was televised.

I remember that moment with John Jr. too.

[Servo300]

2. I remember

when Bess Truman died.

But, then, I worked at the hospital where she was often a patient and cared for her several times in her later years.

Her passing was a big story in Kansas City, but I don't recall what the nationwide coverage was like.

[VolcanoJen]

5. Very interesting, Servo!!

Care to share a little more of your story? That's pretty darned unique. :D

[Servo300]

11. Bess, during her later years, was frequently

a patient at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO, where I worked as a respiratory therapist. Her doctor was the late Dr. Wallace Graham (Harry Truman's doctor too), who I also knew quite well.

Bess was hospitalized following hip surgery and several times therafter with recurrent pneumonia. (She was well into her 90s by this time). Since she was always on respiratory treatments, most of the RTs in our department cared for her at one time or another. She was, for the most part, not very "with it" by this point in her life, and so couldn't respond to any company or conversation in any sort of meaningful fashion.

They did, however, always have two Secret Service officers sitting outside her hospital room at all times, to carefully screen anyone who went into her room. They were mostly pretty bored, as there wasn't much for them to do. But it was an interesting experience...

(Incidently, when she finally did pass away, she was at home, not in the hospital).

[VolcanoJen]

13. Fascinating stuff!

Thanks for sharing, Servo. I've never known anyone who actually "met," let alone treated, a former First Lady.

Bess and Harry remain my favorite First Couple, ever. :D

[Servo300]

14. The Trumans' personal physician,

Dr. Wallace Graham, was a fascinating person in his own right. He continued to practice medicine and perform surgery well into his 80s. He had an amazing memory as well. Once he met a person, he seeming would never forget them.

Although I never knew that well personally, whenever our paths crossed in the hospital, he would always greet me by name, saying "Hello, Jim, how are you?" as if I were a long lost friend.

[No2W2004]

6. it's up to the family,

but unless she has some record of outstanding service like Eleanor Roosevelt, it's usually low key.

[theboss]

7. It's not a national funeral

Basically, it is treated the same as when any high profile person dies.

[CO Liberal]

8. Usually, She Gets Buried

No elaborate ceremony, unless that's what the family wanted.

[LittleApple81]

15. I was going to say "Hopefully they will bury her." n/t

[Neecy]

12. depends

There's a tradition that the first lady, and any living former first ladies, attend the funeral.

Nixon was furious that Hillary didn't attend Pat Nixon's funeral, and that the administration wasn't represented by even a cabinet-level official. Clinton sent Vernon Jordan.

[Gin]

16. I didn't know they kept Secret Service protection for life....

that must either be great duty or awfully boring duty.