Heartwarming photo of presidents at Barbara Bush's funeral goes viral

A heartwarming photograph featuring several generations of US presidents and their spouses paying tribute to the late Barbara Bush has gone viral.

But it's also copped a roasting online over the absence of one notable member.

The photo, taken on Saturday by former White House photographer Paul Morse, shows former presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush, Bill Clinton and George H W Bush, pictured with First Lady Melania Trump and former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton.

A photograph featuring several generations of US presidents and their spouses paying tribute to the late Barbara Bush has gone viral. Photo / AP

President Donald Trump did not attend the funeral in Houston, and the White House issued a statement on his behalf saying he decided not to attend in order "to avoid disruptions due to added security, and out of respect for the Bush family and friends attending the service".

Today, my thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family. In memory of First Lady Barbara Bush, there is a remembrance display located at her portrait in the Center Hall of the @WhiteHouse. pic.twitter.com/AuJ3RLZyax

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2018

For what it's worth, it's not necessarily customary for sitting presidents to attend funerals of former first ladies. For example, Mr Obama didn't attend the ceremony for Betty Ford in 2011 or Nancy Regan in 2016.

But in true Twitter fashion, people still joked about the President's absence.

When the squad makes it to Olive Garden without that one friend who makes racist remarks about the waitress loud enough for the whole restaurant to hear: pic.twitter.com/B029TZuRWk

— Dave Weasel (@DaveWeasel) April 22, 2018

When you finally get rid of the guy that was a problem in the group chat

Obamas and Melania Trump pic.twitter.com/4s24AJM3mS

— DKT (@darleneturner53) April 22, 2018

Find someone who looks at you the way Melania looks at absolutely anything else that isn't me. pic.twitter.com/sxey0H4Kel

— Donald J. Drumpf (@RealDonalDrumpf) April 22, 2018

A warm exchange between Ms Trump and Mr Obama at the funeral has also gone viral.

The pair appeared to share a friendly moment while seated, which quickly became a meme.

"I know, right?" pic.twitter.com/dnDQ805Inc

— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) April 21, 2018

Many contrasted it with the more sombre stills of Ms Trump with her husband.

About 1500 people attended the private service on Saturday at St Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, where Mrs Bush and her husband, George H.W. Bush, were regular parishioners.

Officials say more than 6200 people came through the church on Friday to pay their final respects to the former first lady, who died on Tuesday at her Houston home. She was 92.

After the service, Barbara Bush was laid to rest in a gated plot at the Bush Library at Texas A&M University, near where the couple's beloved daughter Robin is buried, who died of leukaemia in 1953 at age three.

— With AP