Former President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush have chosen to be buried at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, according to a spokesman for the grounds.
“President and Mrs. (George W.) Bush have decided to be buried at the Texas State Cemetery. They are in the process of looking at various areas in the cemetery now. No final decision re-design has been made at this time,” Harry Bradley, cemetery superintendent, said in a statement on Tuesday. “There may be some updated information at a later date, but right now we are just getting started. The Texas State Cemetery Committee and cemetery staff are honored that President and Mrs. Bush have chosen the cemetery for their burial sites.”
Although the cemetery has served as the resting place for governors, senators, congressmen and judges, the Bushes’ decision is a change from presidential protocol. Every commander in chief since John F. Kennedy, except for Lyndon B. Johnson, has elected to be buried at their presidential libraries.
“I can confirm that president and Mrs. Bush have indeed selected the Texas State Cemetery in Austin as their final resting place,” George W. Bush spokesman Freddy Ford said. “They never want to leave the home state they love. President Bush would just like to point out one thing: This doesn’t mean he already has one foot in the grave.”
George H.W. Bush and his wife plan to be buried at his museum in College Station.
