Trump bro funeral

Rare WH service for civilian

President Trump and First Lady Melania joined family members at the White House Friday for a funeral service for the president’s younger brother, Robert.

Bagpipers played the hymn “Abide With Me” as the Trump family solemnly watched Robert’s casket being transferred (right) to a hearse and taken from the White House grounds at 5:20 p.m.

Robert, 71, who served as a top executive at the Trump Organization, died last Saturday after being hospitalized in New York City.

“Robert, I Love You,” Trump tweeted Friday night. “Rest In Peace!”

Trump had announced his brother’s death on

Twitter, calling it the passing of his “best friend.”

“This was not a great weekend,” he said on “Fox and Friends.”

“It’s very hard. You knew it was going to happen, but still, when it happens it’s a very tough thing,” the president said.

“He was a great guy. He was a tremendous guy. He was my friend.

“I guess they say best friend, and that’s true,” he added.

“And losing him — not easy.”

The funeral marked one of the rare instances when a decedent has been brought to the White House for a funeral.

The last time was in 1963, after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, according to ABC News.

A private citizen has not been brought to the White House for a funeral since 1936, when a service was held for Louis Howe, an adviser to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

“I think [Robert would] be greatly honored,” Trump had said earlier this week, raising the idea of a White House funeral for his brother. “He loves our country. He loved our country so much.”