A somber funeral for remains from Flight 93

SHANKSVILLE, Pa. — The remains of those killed aboard Flight 93 in rural Pennsylvania were buried Monday in a private ceremony for family members of the 40 passengers and crew, who were joined by those who responded to the scene on Sept. 11, 2001.

Nearly 500 family members, along with police, fire and emergency workers took part in the private interment at the Flight 93 National Memorial. The park was closed to the public to give them privacy.

A rabbi, a Buddhist sensei, a Catholic priest and a Lutheran minister officiated as the remains, kept in three caskets in a crypt for nearly 10 years, were placed to rest after being looked after by Somerset County Coroner Wallace Miller.

Carole O’Hare, whose mother Hilda Marcin was traveling to California to live with her daughter, said the ceremony brought some peace.

“There’s definitely peace of mind. I was always concerned about what would happen with the unidentified remains,” O’Hare told The Associated Press. “And now my feeling is they’re at peace and where they are meant to be.”

After the religious leaders spoke, the Somerset County Honor Guard played taps, and the American flags on each of the three dark brown caskets were folded and given to those in attendance.

Family members and mourners placed flowers on the caskets. The ceremony took place at what’s called the Sacred Ground site in the field at the national park.

Jerry Bingham, the father of victim Mark Bingham, said the service was “done just right.”

He thanked Miller for taking care of the unidentified remains and for all his work with the family members.

“He’s just a fantastic man. We’re just glad that Wally Miller was here. He took care of us families and took us under his wing. We’re very fortunate,” Bingham told AP.