Jimmy carter funeral
Washington, D.C. — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, a beacon of humility, compassion, and leadership, was honored with a state funeral on Thursday at Washington’s National Cathedral. The solemn ceremony marked the conclusion of a week of national mourning for the 39th president, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
The state funeral, attended by around 3,000 mourners, included U.S. President Joe Biden delivering the eulogy for his longtime friend and fellow Democrat. Reflecting on Carter’s legacy, Biden said, “Carter was a decent man. He looked at the world not from here,” gesturing above his head, “but from here, where everybody else lives,” motioning toward his heart.
The funeral was attended by Carter’s living presidential successors — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump — alongside lawmakers, dignitaries, and international representatives. Federal offices were closed nationwide in observance of the national day of mourning, a rare honor reserved for exceptional public figures.
Jimmy Carter Funeral Schedule and Procession
The six-day farewell began on Saturday with mourners paying respects at Carter’s boyhood peanut farm in Plains, Georgia. A bell tolled 39 times in honor of the nation’s 39th president. On Tuesday, Carter’s flag-draped casket was transported to the U.S. Capitol atop a military gun carriage. Hundreds of service members accompanied the procession, while Carter lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda, where thousands filed past his casket.
On Thursday morning, Carter’s remains were escorted to the National Cathedral for the Jimmy Carter state funeral. Following the ceremony, his body was flown back to Georgia for burial beside his wife, Rosalynn Carter, at their family home in Plains.
Jimmy Carter, the first U.S. president to live to 100, left an indelible mark on the nation and the world. Although his presidency from 1977 to 1981 faced criticism, particularly after his 1980 electoral defeat to Ronald Reagan, Carter’s achievements gained recognition over time. He played a pivotal role in brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, a historic peace agreement.
Post-presidency, Carter dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts, founding the Carter Center and advocating for global health, democracy, and human rights. His work earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed Carter as “a living embodiment of leadership through service, compassion, and a thirst for justice for all.”
Jimmy Carter Burial in Georgia
Following the state funeral, Carter’s final journey brought him back to Plains, where he was laid to rest in a private ceremony. The intimate burial site near his boyhood home symbolizes his lifelong connection to his roots.
As Carter’s funeral procession passed through the streets, Americans gathered along roadways to pay their respects, waving flags, snapping photos, and saluting. His passing marks the end of an era — Carter was the last U.S. president from the so-called Greatest Generation.
The legacy of Jimmy Carter transcends politics. From his work to foster peace to his post-presidency humanitarian efforts, Carter’s life embodied the ideals of service and humility. As America bids him farewell, his contributions remain a testament to the enduring power of compassion and leadership.
