BROADVIEW, IL, March 29, 2016 – Wilbert Funeral Services in Parsons, Kansas was called upon to provide the Wilbert burial vault and interment of former First Lady Nancy Reagan in her place of rest beside her husband, President Ronald Reagan. The Parsons facility, also the headquarters of Wilbert Memorials, provided the same for President Reagan in 2004 at the request of Service Corporation International (SCI) which arranged the services for both the president and the first lady.
The Wilbert Bronze Triune® burial vault selected by Nancy Reagan to match her husband’s vault was manufactured at Wilbert’s Grandview, Missouri plant and delivered to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California where Mrs. Reagan was laid to rest. Mrs. Reagan, who died on March 6, 2016, meticulously planned her funeral, noting that she wanted her vault buried “as close as possible” to her husband’s.
Chris Carson, vice-president of Wilbert Cemetery Construction, oversaw the entire process and delivered the burial vault to Simi Valley along with Bill Wolgamott, Plant Manager and Brett Monk, senior project manager.
“We left at 5 a.m. on Tuesday to arrive in Simi Valley by Wednesday evening in order for the trucks to be cleared and vetted by the Secret Service before we could commence setup on Thursday for the Friday funeral,” related Carson. “The logistics and details of this event were quite impressive, as you might expect. However, it’s one thing to imagine and quite another to actually be a part of and it was incredible to watch all that goes on that the public does not see.”
After the funeral, the Wilbert team lowered Mrs. Reagan’s casket into the burial vault, sealed the vault and interred it.
“This was truly an honor and a memorable experience,” Carson said. “When you see a service such as this, it emphasizes the importance of commemorating a life. Granted, Mrs. Reagan’s service was highly visible in the public eye, but you realize the significance for families in honoring their loved ones from every walk of life. It makes us proud when we can help make this happen.”
For more information on Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc., its network of local Licensees, and the products and services they offer, visit www.wilbert.com/funeral-professionals.
