Public Invited to Attend Ruth Graham's Funeral

Related Items

Ruth and Billy Graham, in an undated photo, met more than 60 years ago when they were students at Wheaton College. They married in 1943 and had five children.

Video

• Billy Graham's Wife Dies at 87
• Ruth Bell Graham Memorial Service - Part 1
• Ruth Bell Graham Memorial Service - Part 2
• WRAL Documentary: Billy Graham (from 2001)
• Graham Library Dedicated to Evangelist's Ministry
• Highlights of Billy Graham Library Dedication

Slideshows

• Remembering Ruth Bell Graham

Related Links

• President Bush Statement on Ruth Graham's Death

On The Web

• Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Site Search

A public funeral service to honor Ruth Bell Graham has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday in Anderson Auditorium at the Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, N.C.

Billy Graham and his family have extended an invitation for the public to join them in honoring the life and memory of their wife and mother at this event.

Anderson Auditorium's seating capacity is limited to 2,000, on a first come basis, after which guests will be directed to additional overflow seating at three closed-circuit video venues, including Chapel of the Prodigal and Gaither Chapel in Montreat. As security precautions will be in effect, no large bags, backpacks or coolers will be allowed into the auditorium.

This will, in essence, be Mrs. Graham's only funeral. A private, family-only, interment service will be held the following day at her final resting place in the Prayer Garden on the grounds of the recently-dedicated Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, which is closed on Sundays, with no events for the public at that location on the day of her burial.

During the height of the summer conference season, access to Anderson Auditorium is limited, so a shuttle service has been arranged to accommodate public attendance at the service. Because of the absolute unavailability of parking in Montreat, anyone interested in attending the funeral must use public shuttles, which will begin operating at 11 a.m. on the day of the service.

Shuttle pick-up points for the public will be in Black Mountain at the following locations, in order of pick-up: the old Food Lion, 408 U.S. 70 Highway; the Ingles Market parking lot at 2913 U.S. Highway 70 West (southeast corner of the Campfire Restaurant); and the BI-LO grocery store at 205 N.C. Highway 9, Black Mountain.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that tax deductible contributions be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) General Fund, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201.

Arrangements have also been made for the public to place memorials at two remembrance locations, where BGEA staff will be on hand to receive flowers and condolences.

The first site is located at Chatlos Chapel on the grounds of the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, in Asheville, which will open at 10 a.m. on Friday. A second location is at the "rock" entrance to the Charlotte headquarters of the BGEA, located off Billy Graham Parkway at 4350 Westmont Drive, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Friday to Sunday.

Members of the public desiring to pay their respects to Mrs. Graham are also welcome to position themselves along the processional route the morning of the service. The cortege will depart Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Ave. in Asheville, and proceed east on Route 70 to Anderson Auditorium.