New Book Reveals Details of 'Tense' Planning for JFK Jr. and Bessette Funerals

RFK Jr. shares memories from his diaries about the difficult decisions surrounding the 1999 tragedy.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:55pm

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An abstract close-up photograph of shattered glass and crumpled fabric in dramatic high-contrast lighting, conveying the fragility and emotional weight of the Kennedy family's loss.The Kennedy family's private grieving process following the 1999 tragedy was marked by intense public scrutiny and difficult logistical decisions.Caldwell Today

In an upcoming biography, RFK Jr. recounts the 'tense conference call' he participated in to plan the funerals for his cousin John F. Kennedy Jr., Kennedy's wife Carolyn Bessette, and her sister Lauren Bessette, who died in a 1999 plane crash. The book details the family's disagreements over burial locations and eulogy arrangements, as well as the emotional toll of the tragedy.

Why it matters

The new revelations provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at the Kennedy family's private grieving process following one of the most high-profile celebrity deaths of the late 20th century. The book sheds light on the intense scrutiny and pressure the Kennedys faced in planning the funerals for their beloved family members.

The details

According to the book 'RFK, Jr.: The Fall and Rise' by journalist Isabel Vincent, RFK Jr. recorded details about the planning of the funerals in his diaries. Carolyn Bessette's mother, Ann Freeman, was 'upset' about the decision regarding her daughters' final resting place, wanting them and JFK Jr. to be buried together in Greenwich, Connecticut. However, RFK Jr. wrote that 'John Kennedy couldn't be buried in Greenwich because he had no connection' to the town. There was also tension over who would deliver the eulogies, with Caroline Kennedy's husband Ed Schlossberg 'shooting down' the idea of Ted Kennedy eulogizing both JFK Jr. and Carolyn, saying 'Kennedys do not eulogize non-Kennedys.' Ultimately, Ted Kennedy did eulogize both JFK Jr. and Carolyn.

  • On July 16, 1999, JFK Jr., Carolyn Bessette, and her sister Lauren died in a plane crash off the coast of Martha's Vineyard.
  • On July 18, 1999, RFK Jr. wrote in his diary about the disagreements over the final resting place for the victims.
  • On July 22, 1999, the ashes of JFK Jr., Carolyn, and Lauren were scattered in a ceremony aboard the USS Briscoe off Martha's Vineyard.
  • On July 23, 1999, a private funeral was held at St. Thomas More Church in New York City, attended by 350 people.
  • On July 24, 1999, a memorial mass took place at Christ Church in Greenwich, Connecticut.

The players

RFK Jr.

The secretary of health and human services and cousin of JFK Jr., who recounted details about the funeral planning in his diaries.

Ann Freeman

The mother of Carolyn Bessette, who was 'upset' about the decision regarding her daughters' final resting place.

Ted Kennedy

The senator who ultimately delivered the eulogies for both JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.

Ed Schlossberg

The husband of Caroline Kennedy, who 'shot down' the idea of Ted Kennedy eulogizing both JFK Jr. and Carolyn.

Lisa Bessette

The twin sister of Lauren Bessette, who proposed that Ted Kennedy give a combined eulogy for the late couple.

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What they’re saying

“Kennedys do not eulogize non-Kennedys”

— Ed Schlossberg, Caroline Kennedy's husband

“Carolyn's mother, Ann Freeman, had been very 'upset' about the decision regarding her daughters' final resting place. She wanted her daughters and JFK Jr. to be buried in Greenwich, Conn., together.”

— RFK Jr.

What’s next

The upcoming RFK Jr. biography 'RFK, Jr.: The Fall and Rise' by Isabel Vincent, which includes these new details about the funeral planning, is set to be released on April 14, 2026.

The takeaway

The new revelations from RFK Jr.'s diaries provide a rare, intimate look at the immense grief and logistical challenges the Kennedy family faced in the aftermath of the tragic 1999 plane crash that claimed the lives of JFK Jr., Carolyn Bessette, and Lauren Bessette. The book sheds light on the intense public scrutiny and private family tensions that surrounded the high-profile funerals.