A Nation Mourns: Former President Jimmy Carter’s State Funeral to be Held in Washington and Georgia
The nation prepares to bid farewell to former President Jimmy Carter, a man whose life of service and unwavering commitment to human rights left an indelible mark on American history. Carter, who passed away peacefully at the age of 100 on Sunday, will be honored with a state funeral, a meticulously planned tribute reserved for presidents and other prominent figures who have shaped the course of the nation. The multi-day event will unfold in both Washington, D.C., and Carter’s home state of Georgia, allowing the public to pay their respects to the 39th president.
The solemn proceedings will commence on Saturday, January 4th, with a service at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta. Following the service, Carter will lie in repose at the Center until January 7th, providing an opportunity for the public to offer their final respects. Before arriving in Atlanta, the former president’s remains will briefly stop at his boyhood home in Plains, Georgia, and the Georgia State Capitol, marking a poignant return to the places that shaped his early life. This sequence of events allows both his local community and the broader public to honor his memory.
On January 7th, Carter’s journey will continue to Washington, D.C. A formal funeral procession will escort him from the U.S. Navy Memorial to the U.S. Capitol, where he will lie in state for two days. This period will allow members of Congress and the public to pay tribute to the former president. A special service for members of Congress is scheduled for the 7th, recognizing Carter’s service within the halls of government. The lying in state tradition provides a powerful symbol of respect and national mourning.
The culmination of the official ceremonies will be Carter’s state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, January 9th, at 10 a.m. President Joe Biden has declared the day a National Day of Mourning, underscoring the significance of Carter’s contributions to the country. The funeral will feature a eulogy delivered by President Biden, a testament to the respect and admiration held for Carter across the political spectrum. Jason Carter, the former president’s grandson and chairman of the Carter Center, will also offer a personal reflection on his grandfather’s life and legacy. Adding a further layer of historical significance, eulogies penned by the late former President Gerald Ford and former Vice President Walter Mondale will be read by their sons, offering a glimpse into Carter’s relationships with his contemporaries.
Following the state funeral in Washington, Carter will make his final journey back to Plains, Georgia, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away last year. This intimate burial ceremony marks the end of the formal state funeral proceedings, returning Carter to the place he called home. The choice to be buried next to his wife highlights the enduring power of their partnership throughout his life and career.
While the state funeral serves as a formal farewell orchestrated by the government, the public is invited to participate in several aspects of the remembrance. Public viewings will be held at both the Carter Presidential Center and the U.S. Capitol, allowing individuals to personally pay their respects. Additionally, members of the public are encouraged to line the route of the funeral procession in Washington, D.C., and to observe the motorcades in both Georgia and the nation’s capital. These opportunities offer a chance for citizens to participate in the collective mourning and express their gratitude for Carter’s lifelong service.
The presence of former presidents and other dignitaries at state funerals is customary. While it remains unclear which former presidents will attend Carter’s funeral, their participation is a powerful symbol of national unity and a recognition of the shared experience of holding the highest office in the land. Former President Donald Trump, despite his political differences with Carter, acknowledged the former president’s love for the country and offered condolences to his family. Whether he attends the funeral remains to be seen. The attendance of political figures from across the spectrum underscores the unifying power of mourning a national leader.
In recognition of the National Day of Mourning, the New York Stock Exchange will be closed on January 9th, a tradition observed for the passing of former presidents. This closure, along with the closure of all federal agencies and executive departments (with exceptions for essential services), reflects the nation’s solemn observance of Carter’s passing. Flags at federal and military buildings will fly at half-staff for 30 days, a visible symbol of national mourning that will extend through President-elect Trump’s inauguration on January 20th. These collective actions symbolize the nation’s respect for its former leaders and the weight of their contributions to the country.
