Former VP Richard “Dick” Cheney mourned in National Cathedral service

A packed group including dignitaries and family members gathered at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday to pay tribute to Richard “Dick” Cheney, who died Nov. 3. He was 84 years old. Former presidents Joe Biden and George W. Bush attended, along with all living former vice presidents—but neither President Donald Trump nor Vice President J.D. Vance was invited.

Members of several military branches carried Cheney’s cross-draped coffin into the cathedral near the beginning of the service, and it rested at the front of the nave during the roughly three-hour Episcopal funeral. The service included 15 instrumental or choral pieces led by the Marine Chamber Orchestra, Navy Sea Chanters, and the cathedral’s choir. Among them were “Be Thou My Vision,” “It Is Well With My Soul,” and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Family members also read Scripture passages, including Psalm 23 and selections from Philippians 4.

How was Cheney remembered? During tributes, his colleagues and family spoke of Cheney’s nearly 40 years of public service. He served as the White House chief of staff, then as a U.S. representative for Wyoming several times before becoming secretary of defense. He was best known as the vice president under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009.

Bush said he chose Cheney as his running mate after the two spent weeks evaluating potential candidates together. Cheney didn’t jump at the chance—he thought through the decision and even presented reasons that he shouldn’t take the job, Bush said. Bush characterized Cheney as a focused and responsible thinker who had no ambition or agenda beside protecting the interests of the United States.

Pete Williams, who served as Cheney’s press secretary and later as his Defense Department spokesman, said Cheney didn’t abandon former friends on his rise to power. He was a good boss who sometimes took on the blame for subordinates’ mistakes, Williams said. Williams also praised Cheney for refusing to accept his resignation when a newspaper revealed Williams’ homosexual lifestyle.

Cheney’s longtime cardiologist, Jonathan Reiner, reminisced on 27 years of caring for Cheney through complex heart disease. Cheney had his first heart attack at just 37 years old, during his first campaign for Congress, Reiner said. He faced health struggles humbly and calmly, Reiner said.

Cheney’s daughter, Liz Cheney, said he was inspired to public service by a speech John F. Kennedy gave at his college. He was a Republican, but put the Constitution and America before party identity, she said. His last words were to tell his wife he loved her, she said. Cheney’s grandchildren also shared memories of him as a family man and lover of Wyoming rodeos and landscapes.

What about his faith? Cheney was very private about his Christian faith, Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith said. But he consulted God for guidance on government decisions. Hollerith urged Christians to find their hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His victory over death.

Dig deeper: Read Neva Piombino’s obituary of Cheney and listen to Hunter Baker reflect on Dick Cheney's life and long influence.