When former Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral is held at the Washington National Cathedral this Thursday, he will join an exclusive and bipartisan group of prominent Americans memorialized in this iconic church, a sacred site that stands as a symbolic narrative of the nation’s history. The cathedral, located in the nation’s capital, has long been a place where the civic and the sacred converge, hosting funerals and services for some of the most influential figures in American history.
The Washington National Cathedral is no ordinary place of worship. Its gothic-style architecture and storied past make it a national landmark where history and faith intertwine. Over the decades, it has served as the site for state funerals of numerous presidents, including Dwight D. Eisenhower and Jimmy Carter. Beyond presidents, the cathedral has honored a wide range of significant individuals who have shaped the country. Among them are Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and Neil Armstrong, the famed astronaut who first walked on the moon. The cathedral also serves as the final resting place for figures such as Helen Keller, the renowned author and activist. Interestingly, although many presidents have held funeral services there, only one, Woodrow Wilson, is actually buried within the cathedral grounds.
The cathedral’s role as a place of national remembrance stems from its unique position “at the intersection of the civic and the sacred,” as described by the cathedral’s Provost, Reverend Canon Jan Naylor Cope. She explains that the funerals and ceremonies held there not only honor the deceased but also reflect their place within the broader story of America. The building itself is a testament to this idea, with statues of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln standing guard near the entrance, symbolizing the nation’s enduring ideals.
The history of the cathedral’s construction is itself a reflection of national ambition and continuity. The original plan for the capital, designed by French-born architect Pierre L’Enfant, included a grand church “for national purposes.” This vision was realized over many decades. Congress officially authorized the construction of the cathedral in 1893 with a charter that emphasized its dedication to religion, education, and charity. Work began in 1907, with President Theodore Roosevelt present to lay the cornerstone, but the cathedral was not fully completed until 1990. Today, it stands as the sixth largest cathedral in the world and the second largest in the United States, after the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York.
The cathedral has hosted some historic and deeply symbolic funerals. For example, President Dwight Eisenhower’s funeral in 1969 was marked by his request to be buried simply, in a government-issued casket meant for regular soldiers, dressed in his military uniform from World War II. This choice reflected his humility and respect for the soldiers he once commanded. Similarly, the funeral of former President Ronald Reagan in 2004 drew notable figures from around the world, reflecting his global impact. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, a close ally in the fight against the Soviet Union during the Cold War, was unable to attend in person due to health reasons but delivered a recorded eulogy. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who had negotiated nuclear arms treaties with Reagan, was present, underscoring the international significance of Reagan’s legacy.
The cathedral also honors achievements beyond politics and military service. Neil Armstrong’s funeral service blended themes of faith and space exploration, fitting for the man who walked on the moon. A unique tribute to Armstrong is found in the “Space Window,” a stained-glass installation that contains a small fragment of moon rock collected during the Apollo 11 mission. This window was dedicated in 1974 and symbolizes the cathedral’s embrace of both earthly and celestial wonders.
Dick Cheney’s funeral service will be only the second held at the cathedral for a vice president. Former President George W. Bush, who served with Cheney, will deliver a eulogy, as will Cheney’s daughter, Liz Cheney, a former congresswoman from Wyoming. Their participation highlights the personal and political significance of Cheney’s life and career.
The cathedral is not only a place for funerals but also a burial site for a select group of Americans. President Woodrow Wilson and his wife, Edith Wilson, are interred there, alongside other notable figures such as Matthew Shepard, the young gay man whose brutal murder in 1998 became a catalyst for LGBTQ+ rights activism. Reverend Cope describes visits to Shepard’s grave as a pilgrimage, emphasizing