The United States is set to honor the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, with a series of memorial events culminating in a state funeral on January 9, 2025.
The commemorations began with President Carter’s remains lying in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, allowing the public and dignitaries to pay their respects. Donald and Melania Trump were among those who visited the Rotunda to pay their respects, joined by members of Congress, Hill staffers, and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Also honoring the late President were Lynda Robb and Luci Baines Johnson, daughters of President Lyndon Johnson, as reported by PBS.
On January 9, the state funeral service will be held at the Washington National Cathedral, commencing at 10 a.m. President Joe Biden, who had a longstanding personal relationship with Carter, is scheduled to deliver the eulogy, fulfilling a promise made during his final years. In an interview with USA Today published on Wednesday morning, Biden reflected on his final conversation with Carter in 2021, when the then-96-year-old former president was making funeral arrangements. “I bent down — he was in tough shape — to kiss him goodbye, and he asked me to do his eulogy,” Biden recalled.
In honor of President Carter, President Biden has declared January 9 a National Day of Mourning. As a result, federal institutions, including financial markets, will observe closures or reduced operations. Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will suspend trading for the day, with bond markets closing early at 2 p.m. Eastern time. The U.S. Postal Service will also pause regular mail delivery.
Following the Washington service, Carter’s remains will be transported to Georgia. A private funeral service is planned at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, reflecting Carter’s deep roots and lifelong connection to his hometown. The day will conclude with a private graveside ceremony at the Carter family residence, where he will be laid to rest beside his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in 2023.
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, served from 1977 to 1981. His post-presidential years were marked by extensive humanitarian work, including efforts in disease eradication, conflict resolution, and the promotion of democratic processes worldwide. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.
As the nation prepares to bid farewell, Carter’s legacy of humility, compassion, and unwavering commitment to service continues to inspire citizens and leaders alike.
For those wishing to pay their respects, the state funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral will be broadcast live on YouTube, allowing the nation to unite in honoring the life of a president dedicated to peace and human rights.
