Why JFK's Casket Stayed Closed

This paragraph details the assassination of President John F. Kennedy from the perspective of the Texas School Book Depository, where Lee Harvey Oswald set up his sniper's nest. It describes the events leading up to the shooting, the motorcade through Dallas, and the chaos that ensued after the shots were fired. The paragraph also touches on the immediate aftermath, including Jackie Kennedy's steadfast refusal to leave her husband's side and the rushed efforts to get to Parkland Memorial Hospital, where doctors were unable to save the president's life.

This section highlights the determination of Jackie Kennedy to stay by her husband's side, even as he was declared dead at Parkland Hospital. It discusses the initial refusal of Jackie to leave the trauma room and her insistence on witnessing her husband's death. The narrative then shifts to the challenges faced in transporting Kennedy's body, including the selection of an inappropriate casket by the funeral home and the tense standoff with the Dallas County medical examiner, Dr. Rose, who insisted on performing an autopsy in Dallas as per state law.

This paragraph describes the arduous process of moving President Kennedy's body from Dallas to Washington, D.C. It details the difficulties encountered with the heavy and poorly chosen casket, the emotional turmoil of Jackie Kennedy and the Secret Service, and the logistical issues in transporting the casket onto Air Force One. The narrative also touches on the tense moments at Love Field and the struggle to load the casket onto the plane without further damage.

This section reveals Jackie Kennedy's wish for a simple and intimate funeral for her husband, influenced by the recent publication of Jessica Mitford's 'The American Way of Death,' which criticized the funeral industry for its extravagant and costly practices. Despite the desire to avoid funeral directors, the paragraph explains the necessity of involving Joseph Gawler's Sons, a prestigious funeral home, for the embalming and cosmetic reconstruction of President Kennedy's remains.

This paragraph delves into the efforts of Gawler's embalming and reconstruction team to restore President Kennedy's appearance after the autopsy. It describes the challenges faced in rebuilding his skull and setting his face to a more natural state, as well as the concerns about potential leakage from the skull. The narrative also includes the selection of a new, more appropriate casket and the eventual decision to close the casket, respecting Jackie's wishes for privacy and dignity.

This section discusses the state funeral of President Kennedy, focusing on Jackie's efforts to balance public expectations with her desire for a personal and intimate farewell. It highlights her decisions regarding the funeral arrangements, such as the choice of Arlington National Cemetery, the inclusion of an eternal flame, and the request for a closed casket. The paragraph also touches on the public's response to the funeral and the quarter of a million people who came to pay their respects.

The final paragraph reflects on the legacy of President Kennedy's assassination and the impact of the funeral industry's practices, as well as the personal grief of Jackie Kennedy. It describes the disposal of the original casket at sea, the settlement with the funeral home, and the eventual cremation and sea burial of John F. Kennedy Jr. The narrative concludes with a note of thanks to patrons for their support in researching and producing the video.