American Funeral Services

W. Bush was heralded Wednesday as "America's last great soldier-statesman" before about 3,000 mourners who came together across party lines at Washington National Cathedral to remember the nation's 41st president. Ever the diplomat, the elder Bush managed in death to bring together the nation's four living ex-presidents, as well as President Donald Trump, the Republican he and his son George W. Bush refused to support two years ago. The gathering was at times awkward as Trump and his 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton, ignored each other. The most touching moment came when the younger Bush, delivering the last of four eulogies, choked up recalling "a great and noble man, and the best father a son or daughter could have." As the late president's three other sons and daughter looked on tearfully, the audience burst into applause for the only time during the ceremony. As an intergenerational smattering of Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives listened intently, one speaker after another recalled qualities arguably in short supply today: Integrity. Kindness. Dignity. Humor. Empathy. Loyalty. Generosity. Truth. “When the history books are written, they will say that George H.W. Bush was a great president of the United States, a diplomat of unmatched skill, a commander in chief of formidable accomplishment and a gentleman who executed the duties of his office with dignity and honor,” his son said.  “He showed me what it means to be a president who serves with integrity, leads with courage and acts with love in his heart for the citizens of our country.” Bush biographer Jon Meacham told mourners, "George Herbert Walker Bush was America’s last great soldier-statesman, a 20th-century founding father. He governed with virtues that most closely resemble t...

W. Bush, was laid to rest Thursday at his presidential library at Texas A&M University next to his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush, after a week of services celebrating his life.>> Read more trending news  Bush’s body was taken by train to College Station, Texas, for burial as hundreds of people turned out along the train route to say a final farewell. Thousands of mourners attended a funeral service in Houston earlier in the day at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church where Bush was remembered as a loyal lifelong friend and doting “Gampy” in eulogies at the church where he and his family were members for more than 50 years. Former Secretary of State James Baker, Bush’s political adviser, confident and friend of some 60 years, eulogized the man he called “jefe,” saying he was going to do something Bush would not like, he was going to praise him.Bush’s oldest grandson, George P. Bush, recalled how he and his grandfather built an imaginary boat during one of the many visits he enjoyed at his grandparents home in Kennebunkport, Maine.>> Related: Photos: 41st President George H.W. Bush laid to rest in TexasIt was the second memorial service for Bush, who was remembered Wednesday at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., with humor and emotion as a kind man of high character who loved his family, his country and a good joke.Bush died Friday night at his Texas home at the age of  94.Updates: .@SecretService Bush Protective Division final notification: "Timberwolf's Detail concluded at 0600 ... with no incidents to report at the George Bush Presidential Library - College Station, Texas. God speed Former President George H.W. Bush - you will be missed by all of us." pic.twitter.com/pz7FxoQf1H— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 7, 2018 5:28 p.m. ET Dec. 6: To the burial siteThe family is following the casket to the burial site as a band plays the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy.”5:17 p.m. ET Dec. 6: At the libr...