Former First Lady Barbara Bush, who passed away at the age of 92 on April 17, planned for her funeral years ago and according to Rev. Dr. Russell Levenson Jr. of the St. Martin's Episcopal Church, she wanted it to be a "celebratory liturgy."
The reverend revealed that Bush thought of everything for her funeral -- from the music, to the length, the format and the Scripture readings. The 90-minute service took place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, at St. Martin's, which the Bushes have attended since 1964.
"This is not a grief liturgy. This is not a sad liturgy. This is a celebratory liturgy," Levenson told reporters.
The service started with a hymn that the First Lady personally picked. Everyone at St. Martin's clergy participated but Rev. Dr. Peter Cheney from St. Anne's in Maine was also present, as he served as the family's priest during their summer visits to the state.
Bush chose three people to give the eulogy: historian Jon Meacham, friend Susan Baker, and son Gov. Jeb Bush. The former First Lady also wanted the St. Martin's Choir to sing "Nearer My God, To Thee" and "Amazing Grace," while family, friends and mourners recited "The Lord's Prayer."
Over 1,500 were at the funeral, including former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary, former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, and First Lady Melania Trump. The reverend fondly remembered that Bush once joked she might not be able to fill the church at her funeral, and she actually didn't want people making a fuss over her.
"The mantra in the Bush home was we don't talk about the big me. People were discouraged anytime vanity or hyperbole took center stage. It was all about others." Levenson said.
Bush's funeral motorcade later proceeded to the George H.W. Bush Library Center near the Texas A&M University where she was laid to rest next to Robin, the daughter the family lost in 1953.
