The nation mourns the loss of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the ripe age of 100. His funeral arrangements reflect his massive contribution toward American society and a deep connection with the state of Georgia. The ceremonies will take place in several locations and are going to be characterized by numerous events in honor of his life.
General outline of funeral arrangements
Carter’s funeral will be in three major locations: Plains, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia; and Washington, D.C., over a six-day period, beginning January 4, 2025, and will culminate with a private burial on January 9, 2025. The detailed schedule allows for paying respects while celebrating Carter’s life and the high points of his achievements.
Detailed schedule of events
January 4: Departure from Americus
The funeral ceremonies will start January 4, when the remains of the Carter family is scheduled to arrive at 10:15 a.m. at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Georgia, escorted by current and past Secret Service agents who served while Carter was president as his remains will be escorted to the hearse.
From there, a motorcade will wind its way through Plains, pausing briefly at his boyhood home and family farm at 10:50 a.m. During that stop, the National Park Service will pay tribute to Carter by tolling the old farm bell 39 times, once for each of his years as the nation’s 39th president.
The motorcade will then proceed to Atlanta for a moment of silence at the Georgia State Capitol at 3 p.m., led by state officials including Governor Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. From there, Carter’s remains will be transported to the Carter Presidential Center, where a service is scheduled for 4 p.m. After that service, he will lie in repose for public viewing from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on January 7.
January 5-6: Public viewing
Members of the public will, for these two days be accorded the chance of paying their last respects as the body of Carter rests at the Carter Presidential Center. This will be the period for reflection on the achievements and legacies by the people who admired him.
January 7th: Transition to Washington D.C.
At 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, Carter’s remains will leave the Carter Center. A ceremony will be held to note this transition as he is taken to Dobbins Air Reserve Base to fly to Washington D.C. His remains are expected to arrive at Joint Base Andrews at about 12:45 p.m.
A motorcade will take him from there to the U.S. Navy Memorial, where his casket will be placed on a horse-drawn caisson for a procession to the U.S. Capitol at 2 p.m. When the casket bearing Carter arrives at the Capitol Rotunda, military body bearers will carry him inside for a service at 3 p.m. at which members of Congress will pay their respects. Carter will lie in state until midnight on January 8, allowing further public visitation during this period.
January 8: Lying in state continues
On this day, there will be a continuance of the lying-in-state ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda for Carter from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. on January 9. It is appropriately predicted that large crowds will characterize this period as people stream in to pay their respects to one of their ex-leaders.
January 9: National Funeral Service
The last day of ceremonies will be January 9, which President Joe Biden has declared as a national day of mourning. At 10 a.m., there will be the National Funeral Service at the Washington National Cathedral, during which President Biden is scheduled to give the eulogy.
Following the service, at approximately 11:15 a.m., Carter’s remains will be flown back to Georgia aboard Special Air Mission 39 and arrive back at Lawson Army Airfield at approximately 2 p.m. Upon arrival in Plains, he will be given a private funeral and interment beside his beloved wife Rosalynn, under a willow tree on the family home property.
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