The state funeral for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100, will take place on January 9 at the Washington National Cathedral, as announced by the U.S. Army.
President Joe Biden, who previously revealed that Carter had requested him to deliver the eulogy, has declared January 9 as a national day of mourning in honor of the late president.
Carter’s six-day state funeral will begin on January 6 with a motorcade carrying his remains through Plains, Georgia, his hometown. The procession will stop at his childhood farm, where the National Park Service will ring a historic bell 39 times, symbolizing Carter’s tenure as the 39th U.S. president.
His body will then be transported to Atlanta, where it will lie in repose at the Carter Presidential Center until January 7. Following this, his remains will be flown to Washington, D.C., to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda before the official funeral service at the National Cathedral.
After the public ceremonies, Carter’s family will hold a private funeral and burial in Plains, Georgia, later on January 9. He will be laid to rest beside his wife, Rosalynn Carter, at their longtime residence.
Carter, a Democrat who served as president from 1977 to 1981, is remembered for his role in brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, a landmark effort for Middle East peace.
After leaving office, Carter dedicated himself to humanitarian causes, earning the Nobel Peace Prize for his work. Leaders worldwide have honored his legacy, describing him as a compassionate and humble advocate for peace and equality.
