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Sources familiar with the matter confirm that former President Donald Trump was not invited to former Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral. This exclusion is notable, as sitting presidents typically attend the funerals of former presidents and vice presidents; however, Cheney had distanced himself from Trump after the January 6th Capitol riots. The memorial service is scheduled to include the attendance of several other prominent figures, including former presidents and vice presidents, high-ranking government officials, and members of the Supreme Court. The snub highlights the deep political divide between Cheney and Trump, who had been vocal in his criticism of the former vice president and his daughter, Liz Cheney.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral is scheduled for Thursday in Washington, D.C., and will be attended by a bipartisan gathering of dignitaries, including former presidents and vice presidents. The service, featuring full military honors, is expected to host over 1,000 guests, representing a time of less political polarization. Notably, neither former President Donald Trump nor Vice President J.D. Vance received an invitation. Cheney, who served as vice president from 2001 to 2009, died on November 3 at the age of 84.
A funeral procession for Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, was held in Birmingham, England, where the band was formed. The procession made its way to the Black Sabbath Bridge, where fans and family, including his wife Sharon, gathered to pay their respects and leave tributes. Osbourne, who died at age 76, was a beloved figure, with fans expressing their emotions and reflecting on his impact on their lives and the rock music scene. The event served as a fitting tribute to the “Prince of Darkness” before a private family funeral took place.
The funeral of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, victims of a politically motivated assassination, was attended by former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, but not the current president. While Trump issued a statement condemning the killings, he simultaneously displayed indifference and callousness by playing golf with Republican leaders and attacking Democrats on social media. Furthermore, Trump implied Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was somehow responsible, adding weight to misinformation and attempting to politicize the tragedy. Rather than offer a unifying response, Trump’s actions underscored his tendency to treat political violence with a partisan slant, in contrast to what a responsible leader would do.
The funeral for slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, was attended by former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, with a eulogy delivered by Governor Tim Walz. Despite the attendance of prominent political figures, former President Donald Trump did not attend the service and did not issue a statement about the event. The suspected perpetrator, Vance Boelter, had a list of potential targets including the Hortmans, and was described as a supporter of Trump. While the funeral was taking place, Trump spent the morning golfing and made social media posts with divisive political rhetoric.
Jon Hallford, the owner of the Return to Nature Funeral Home, has been sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison for wire fraud, after stashing nearly 190 dead bodies in a dilapidated building and providing families with fake ashes. Hallford pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in federal court and 191 counts of corpse abuse in state court, with his state sentencing scheduled for August. The judge stated the emotional damage to families and the scale of the crime warranted the long sentence, as Hallford defrauded families and the federal government of nearly $900,000 in COVID-19 aid. Hallford and his wife are accused of storing the bodies between 2019 and 2023, while families received fraudulent ashes and experienced immense emotional distress.
Miles Harford, 34, received the maximum 18-month prison sentence for leaving a woman’s body in his hearse for 18 months and mishandling the cremated remains of at least 30 others. His April guilty plea to abuse of a corpse and theft encompassed charges including forgery, which were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Authorities discovered the remains improperly stored throughout Harford’s property, causing significant distress to numerous families. This sentencing follows a string of similar egregious cases in Colorado involving the mishandling of human remains.
Over 130,000 people have viewed Pope Francis lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, with many taking photos and videos despite Vatican requests for solemnity. Initially, officials did not effectively curb the use of phones, leading to criticism. Subsequently, visitors were explicitly instructed to refrain from taking photos of the late pontiff. The pope’s funeral will take place on Saturday, following a public viewing period ending Friday evening.
It’s a nightmare scenario that none of us want to imagine – being declared dead and then coming back to life, only to die hours later. The recent story of a woman found still alive at a funeral home, only to pass away shortly after, is terrifying on so many levels. As I read through the details of the incident, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of unease and sadness for the woman, her family, and all those involved in this tragic chain of events.
Imagine being in hospice, expecting your time to be up soon, only to wake up in a funeral home surrounded by strangers performing CPR on you.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker