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Betty Ford funeral services planned

Former US first lady Betty Ford has died at the age of 93 (AP)

Gerald Ford became president in 1974 after the resignation of Richard Nixon (AP)

10 July 2011

Public and private memorial ceremonies will be held in California and Michigan this week for former US first lady Betty Ford as her coffin travels to be laid to rest alongside her husband.

Family lawyer and spokesman Greg Willard said Mrs Ford, 93, died of natural causes at Eisenhower Medical Centre, California, on Friday, and ceremonies were proceeding according to her wishes.

Ceremonies will be held on Tuesday at St Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert.

On Wednesday morning, her coffin will travel by motorcade to the Palm Springs airport, destined for Grand Rapids, Michigan, where her husband, former president Gerald Ford, is buried.

Ceremonies will be held in Grand Rapids on Wednesday night before burial on Thursday.

Former first lady Rosalyn Carter will give one of the eulogies.

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