- The passing of former President Jimmy Carter on Sunday marks the beginning of a process that will include a period of national mourning. U.S. presidents have the maudlin task of planning their own funerals while in office. Carter is expected to be taken to Atlanta via motorcade from his home in Plains, Ga., where he will stop at the Georgia State Capitol before being taken to the Carter Center, where he will lie in repose for 36 hours.
Jimmy Carter, the longest living president in American history, has died at the age of 100.
The news concludes a long life of public service, both inside and outside of the West Wing. His death follows the passing of his longtime wife Rosalynn Carter, who died on Nov. 19, 2023 at the age of 96.
“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” former President Jimmy Carter said in a statement following Rosalynn's passing. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”
Carter, whose Secret Service code name was Deacon, defied illness and death for years. On Feb. 20, 2023, representatives of the former president announced that Carter had elected to enter hospice care to “spend his remaining time at home with his family.” Many Americans expected him to pass soon thereafter and were subsequently surprised by the length of his time in hospice.
His passing marks the beginning of an orchestrated process that will include a period of national mourning and remembrance.
There have been just four state funerals for former presidents since 1973. Richard Nixon, who died in 1994, requested that his family opt instead for a smaller ceremony at his presidential library
Much like British royalty, U.S. presidents have the maudlin task of planning their own funerals, while in office. The White House Historical Association notes coordination for the funeral begins early in each president's term.
"By helping plan their own funeral, presidents are able to incorporate personal touches that can elucidate their character and legacy on a national stage for the last time,” the association writes.
No formal announcements have been made regarding Carter’s funeral yet, but memorial services are expected to run for the next eight days, due to the holiday. He is expected to be taken to Atlanta via motorcade from his home in Plains, Ga., where he will briefly stop at the Georgia State Capitol before being taken to the Carter Center, where he will lie in repose for 36 hours.
From there, he will be transported to Washington, D.C. where he will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol for a day-and-a-half, which will be followed by a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral. Afterwards, he will return to Plains and buried in a little hill near a pond on his family land.
"Plains is special to us. I could be buried in Arlington Cemetery or wherever I want, but my wife was born here and I was born here," he told C-SPAN in December 2006. "Plains is where our hearts have always been."
Here’s what else we’re likely to see.
Flags will be lowered to half-staff
It’s federal law that flags on all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels be lowered to half-staff for 30 days, once a president passes away. (Vice-presidents and Chief Justices receive a 10-day half-staff honor.)
President Biden will declare a National Day of Mourning
Sitting presidents will typically make an address when one of their predecessors passes on, generally declaring a National Day of Mourning on the day of the funeral. That means the federal government will shut down for a day and both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq markets will not trade.
Late Sunday, President Biden declared that would take place on Thursday, Jan. 9.
The last National Day of Mourning was held on Dec. 5, 2018 to honor the memory of former President George H.W. Bush.
Ceremonial gun salutes will begin well before the funeral
It’s military tradition to honor the death of presidents and former presidents with a ceremonial gun salute. While most people think of the three rifle volley that typically accompanies a military funeral, this tradition is less known.
“On the day after the death of the president, a former president or president-elect—unless this day falls on a Sunday or holiday, in which case the honor will rendered the following day—the commanders of Army installations with the necessary personnel and material traditionally order that one gun be fired every half hour, beginning at reveille and ending at retreat,” noted the Air Force upon the death of Gerald Ford.
The funeral and memorial process will likely last eight to 10 days
Generally, former presidents are buried five days after they pass away, though with the New Year's Day holiday, Carter's will likely take a bit longer. This allows for a period of remembrance and is part of the planning process presidents go through when they’re in office (though the families can make adjustments, should they choose).
Presidents have a say in everything from whether (and where) they lie in state at the Capitol to the route of the motorcade and the ceremonial elements of the event. That can be a bit of a hurdle for presidents who are unassuming, like Carter. The last one who had to be convinced to include some of the formalities was Gerald Ford.
“The folks that handle protocol for the country worked with him to help him understand that the service was for the nation as well as for his family, and he agreed reluctantly to certain elements,” the White House quotes Rev. Robert Certain as saying about Ford. (Certain was minister of the Episcopal Church where President and Mrs. Ford worshipped.)
Presidents will gather
Presidential funerals are among the few times Americans are likely to see all living former presidents side by side, as political differences are momentarily set aside to honor their colleague. Memorial services are usually held at the Washington National Cathedral. (It is unknown whether Donald Trump will attend or be invited to the funeral, however, given the strong philosophical differences Carter had with him.)
Following that, the former president’s body is taken to its final resting place, which in Carter’s case is still unknown. (Presidential libraries and hometowns are frequent choices.)
