Former Vice President Dick Cheney interment is scheduled following his death on November 3, 2025, at age 84. The nation is now watching as final arrangements come together after a high-profile funeral service, closing a significant chapter in recent U.S. political history.
Death and Cause
Dick Cheney died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. He had long struggled with heart problems, including multiple heart attacks earlier in his life, and had previously undergone a heart transplant.
At the time of his death, Cheney was surrounded by his family, including his wife Lynne and their two daughters.
Funeral Service and Interment
- The funeral service is set to take place on November 20, 2025, at 11 a.m. ET in the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
- The service is by invitation only, with public access via a livestream on the Cathedral’s website and its YouTube channel.
- Among the expected speakers are former President George W. Bush, Cheney’s daughter Liz Cheney, his longtime cardiologist, former press secretary Pete Williams, and his grandchildren.
- While the details of the interment (burial) are more private, reports indicate the burial will follow the funeral service. The family has described it as a private interment.
Flag Protocol and Mourning
In honor of Cheney’s death, several states—including California—have ordered U.S. flags on state and federal buildings to be flown at half-staff. This follows a long-standing custom and statutory requirement that flags remain lowered from the day of death until the day of interment for a former vice president.
In California, for example, the Governor’s directive ordered flags to stay at half-staff through the interment day, with a plan to raise them back at sunset on that final day.
Attendance and Reactions
- President Joe Biden is expected to attend the memorial service at the National Cathedral.
- Former President George W. Bush will deliver remarks honoring Cheney’s life and service.
- Other notable figures from U.S. politics are expected, including several former vice presidents.
- In contrast, current President Donald Trump was reportedly not invited to the funeral, and there has been no formal proclamation or public statement from him on Cheney’s passing.
Legacy of Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney’s legacy remains deeply complex and polarizing:
- As Vice President under George W. Bush, he was a major architect of post-9/11 counterterrorism policies, including robust military action in Afghanistan and Iraq.
- He was a staunch defender of executive authority, backing controversial measures such as enhanced interrogation and expanded surveillance.
- Over the years, he also became an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, breaking with many in his own party.
- In later life, Cheney aligned with his daughter Liz in criticizing the direction of the Republican Party and voiced support for democratic institutions.
His death and interment bring these debates into sharper focus, prompting reflection on his role in shaping America’s early 21st-century foreign and domestic policy.
The interment of Dick Cheney marks a moment of national reflection — a time to reckon with both his influence and the controversy he leaves behind.