Why JFK's Casket Stayed Closed

It’s unbelievable they were so insistent on an open casket. The moment he died, he no longer belonged to the people. He stopped being the president. He was Jackie’s husband. Jackie should have had absolute authority the whole time.

It says a lot about our society that we have an almost minute by minute account of what happened after Oswald fired that gun, but in school I at least never learned anything about Jackie’s resilience in the days that followed

Jackie was one tough class act. She wasn’t a wilting wildflower. She’d lost two of her babies too. She endured so much heartache

In the book, "These Few Precious Days," Jack took the lead, and handled the funeral of baby Patrick. Jack did not want Jackie to endure anymore heartache and saw that she suffering. Jackie then, took the lead when Jack was killed. Minus their ups and downs, they both loved each other and their families. Thank you for posting this story.

My wife Sami was an avid follower of yours and contributed to your patroen. She died last year and despite having to fight against her parents' wishes I got Sami the Woodland Burial she wanted thanks to watching your videos.

I remember when my stepfather died. My brother, who was his biological child, was distraught. The funeral director asked if he wanted 'casket insurance' . He was ready to say 'yes' to anything. I quickly asked "what is casket insurance'? I was told it was insurance paid so that the casket would not leak, the remains leak out, etc. I asked how we could make sure the insurance was working .....did they dig up the casket every month/year etc to make sure it was working appropriately? Of course the funeral director , goggled eyed, fumbled his answer and finally said 'no'. I said , 'then no, we don't need the added charge of 'casket insurance'. Not cool. Obviously a tactic to prey on the emotional situation that is the loss of a loved one.

I was at Kenedy's inauguration. I want to thank you for this wonderful video. There were so many things I did not know. I felt a sense of peaceful closure, On a side note, when my mother died my sons built her coffin in the front yard. The neighbors were freaked out but the coffin was beautiful. All of her grandchildren and I painted murals on the inner walls.

The decision about the destiny of a husband's remains is sooooo painful! Me and my husband loved this channel and we discussed sometimes what we wanted to be done when we died. He died last year and I had to decide everything. It was a simple funeral, with a simple casket followed by a cremation. This video made me cry. But made me remember our conversations and our friendship.

Caitlyn this may be a bit morbid even for this channel but have you considered a video about Emmett Till and the incredible bravery of his mother Mamie? She insisted on a public, open casket funeral. “Let them see what they’ve done to my baby.” It’s quite a story.

Interesting fact, Jackie's suit was Chanel "inspired" suit made by her personal tailor. She loved Chanel designs but she wanted to be seen wearing clothing from the US, so her tailor got the fabric and pattern from Chanel but it was made in the US. Edit: Thank you for all the likes, and commentary. Additionally, this was in no way to say Caitlin was incorrect as the suit outside of the person and place it was constructed was Chanel.

This still brings tears to my eyes. I lived in Dallas from 2009 to 2017. This event still weighs heavily on them. People, to this day, still blames Dallas for the events of this tragedy.

'Jackie', a movie starring Natalie Portman dealt with a lot of what happened once she returned to the White House. There will always be unanswered questions about this major event in the 20th century that rocked the entire world, particularly each and every member of the Kennedy Fitzgerald family member. Thank you for your informative video and details.

My God losing a son and a husband in the span of three months. Jackie Kennedy had strength beyond my own comprehension

Jackie truly did an amazing job advocating for her family's after-death wishes in a situation where people seemed determined to treat her like a child who couldn't handle the reality of death.

I was 12 when Kennedy was shot. Like millions I was shocked of the news. I followed the funeral, the inquiries for years into my 30s 40s and even in my 60s still with questions about the events of that day. This documentary finally answered so many of my questions and then some. Thank you EB for your exceptional work.

My favorite and most memorable line of this entire documentary: "There was no need for the dead person to be sprayed, sliced, pierced, pickled, dressed, trimmed, creamed, waxed, painted, rouged, and neatly dressed; Transformed from a common corpse, into a beautiful memory picture." This needs to be made into a rap song or something. Loved it!

I never realized the empowerment in that story. Way to go Jackie for sticking up for herself and her family. What a strong lady.

I cannot even imagine how Jackie must have felt. Your description of her putting her wedding ring on her husband's finger has me in tears, that poor woman. Nobody deserves to go through this.

I see this video as a tribute to Jackie Kennedy, her love for her husband, and the sensitivity, and frame of mind to consider the public's love for him.

I'm sure I'm only one of a multitude who have found your channel shortly after a parent died, but thank you for this frank but human insight you provide.