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Death and state funeral of Jimmy Carter

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Death and state funeral of Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter, pictured in 2014
Date
  • January 4–9, 2025 (state funeral)
  • December 29, 2024 – January 29, 2025 (mourning period)
LocationWashington, D.C.
Organized byPresident Joe Biden
Participants
BurialJimmy and Rosalynn Carter House
Lying in stateUnited States Capitol
Websitewww.jimmycartertribute.org

This article is part of
a series about
Jimmy Carter
76th Governor of Georgia
39th President of the United States

Presidency

Jimmy Carter's signature
Seal of the President of the United States

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his post-presidential work, died on December 29, 2024, at his home in Plains, Georgia, after nearly two years in hospice care. At the age of 100 years, 89 days, Carter was the longest-lived U.S. president in history and the first president to reach the age of 100.

Condolences were issued by leaders from around the world, and an extensive funeral schedule was set forth, including a period of Carter lying in state at the United States Capitol, and a national day of mourning and federal holiday declared by President Joe Biden to be held on January 9, the day of Carter's funeral service.

Background

After several years dealing with various health issues and declining physical ability, particularly being diagnosed with melanoma that metastasized to his brain and liver,[1] the Carter Center announced on February 18, 2023, that Carter was staying at home to "receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention".[2] Sources noted that hospice care medically means that the patient's life expectancy is no more than six months to live, and patients in hospice care typically die within several weeks. The following week after the announcement, it was reported that Carter's close family members had come to his home in Georgia to spend his final days with him,[3] although local news reported four months later that Carter remained "in great spirits, visiting with family and still enjoying ice cream".[4]

In late August 2023, Carter's grandson Jason Carter provided an update on Carter's health, noting that his grandfather was "in the final chapter" of his life,[5] and in mid-September, Jason further reported that both Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter were "coming to the end",[6] though both were well enough to be taken for a drive through the Plains Peanut Festival on September 23.[7] On November 17, 2023, it was announced that his wife Rosalynn would also be entering hospice care;[8] she died two days later, at the age of 96.[9] Carter's final public appearance was on October 1, 2024, his 100th birthday, when he viewed a military flyover.[10]

Carter had been the earliest-serving living former president for 18 years, since the death of Gerald Ford in 2006. In September 2012, he surpassed Herbert Hoover as the president with the longest retirement.[11][12] Seven years later, on March 22, 2019, he became the nation's longest-lived president, when he surpassed the lifespan of George H. W. Bush, who was 94 years, 171 days of age when Bush died in November 2018; both men were born in 1924.[13] He noted how difficult it felt to reach his nineties, the former president saying in a 2019 interview with People that he never expected to live as long as he has, claiming his secret to a long life was a good marriage.[14]

On December 29, 2024, Carter died at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter's son, James E. Carter III, said he died at around 3:45 p.m. EST.[15][16]

Reactions

President Joe Biden delivering remarks about Carter's death and legacy

President Joe Biden stated that "America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian", and president-elect Donald Trump said Carter "did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans."[17] In an address from Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands, Biden said that Carter was a "remarkable leader".[18] Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton paid tribute to Carter, as did former vice president Al Gore.[19][20] Senator Bernie Sanders, for whom Carter voted during the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries, stated that "Jimmy Carter, both for what he did as president and in his later years, will be remembered as a decent, honest and down-to-earth man."[21][22] Across Georgia's political landscape, his death was also mourned by Governor Brian Kemp, former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler, the state's congressional delegation and many others by both Republicans and Democrats in Georgia. Delta Air Lines, operating its largest hub in Atlanta, also reacted to Carter's passing, lauding his past life.[23]

Internationally, Carter's death was mourned by Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, King Charles III of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms, British prime minister Keir Starmer,[24] Cuban president Miguel Díaz-Canel, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, French president Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Olaf Scholz,[25] Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, Bangladeshi Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus,[26] Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, [27] Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, Panamanian president José Raúl Mulino, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Pope Francis,[28] Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi,[25] Maldivian president Mohamed Muizzu,[29] Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese,[25] Chinese president Xi Jinping,[30] Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof,[31] European Council president António Costa,[32] Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas[33], Philippine president Bongbong Marcos,[34] and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.[35]

Unlike any other reaction, the Iranian state television's coverage of Carter's death mentioned him as the "architect of economic sanctions" against Iran and criticized him.[36] A moment of silence was held for Carter at the United Nations Security Council on December 30.[37]

Initial activities

National mourning

The United States flag flies at half-staff over the White House on December 30, 2024.

President Biden ordered U.S. flags to be lowered to half-staff for thirty days in accordance with federal law, including at president-elect Donald Trump's second inauguration.[38] Governors then issued executive orders honoring Carter and lowering flags in their states to half-staff.[39] Biden declared a national day of mourning and federal holiday for January 9, the day of Carter's funeral service.[40][41]

Black mourning drapes were placed over portraits of Carter at Smithsonian Institution facilities, the White House, the Georgia State Capitol, the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, and other official sites.[42][43][44]

Gun salutes and memorial musters

United States armed forces installations and ships at sea fired continuous artillery volleys at 30-minute intervals from sunrise to sunset on Monday, December 30, as prescribed by military regulation following the death of a former president.[45][46][47]

Prayer services and pastoral statements

At Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, where Carter was a member, a memorial prayer vigil was held on Monday, December 30.[48] Rear Admiral Margaret Kibben, the chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, led the chamber in prayer for Carter on December 31.[49] The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.—where Carter taught Sunday School during his presidency—announced plans for a prayer service in Carter's memory.[50]

The Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church enacted a resolution recalling Carter as a "devoted Christian who embodied Jesus' teachings".[51] The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement declaring that Carter "embraced the Savior’s admonition" and noting it would pray "that the Carter family may feel comfort and peace".[52] On behalf of Pope Francis, the Secretary of the Apostolic See, Pietro Parolin, announced that "the Holy Father commends him [Carter] to the infinite mercies of almighty God and prays for the consolation of all who mourn his loss".[53]

Memorial service and state funeral

Planning for Carter's death had begun several years prior, according to The New York Times. Carter's remains will be taken by motorcade to Atlanta from Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia. They will travel through Plains and will stop at his boyhood home in nearby Archery, where the National Park Service will salute him, and the farm's bell will be rung 39 times. They will also stop at the Georgia State Capitol for a salute by the Georgia State Patrol and a moment of silence led by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and members of the Georgia General Assembly. Carter's remains will then be taken to the Carter Center, where he will lie in repose from January 4 to 7. On January 7, Carter's remains will travel to Washington, D.C., on a military flight under the call sign Special Air Mission 39 from Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.[54]

Upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Carter's remains will be taken by motorcade to the United States Navy Memorial. They will then be taken by a horse-drawn caisson to the United States Capitol in a funeral procession. He will lie in state at the United States Capitol beginning January 7 to the morning of January 9 in the rotunda.

The Washington National Cathedral will host the state funeral service on January 9, 2025.[55][56] Biden is set to deliver Carter's eulogy. In addition, Jason Carter, Carter's grandson, will deliver a speech. Eulogies will be delivered by Steven Ford on behalf of his father, Gerald Ford, Carter's predecessor as president and opponent in the 1976 presidential election, who died in 2006, and Ted Mondale on behalf of his father, Walter Mondale, Carter's vice-president, who died in 2021.[57][58]

After the service in Washington, D.C., Carter will be transported back to Georgia on a military flight under the same call sign from Joint Base Andrews back to Lawson Army Airfield at Fort Moore in Columbus, Georgia. Upon arrival back in Georgia, Carter's remains will travel by motorcade to Maranatha Baptist Church for a private funeral service with his family and close friends. After that service, Carter's remains will be taken by motorcade back to his home for a private burial.[59]

See also

References

  1. ^ Sullivan, Kevin (February 18, 2023). "Former president Jimmy Carter opts for home hospice care for final days". The Washington Post.
  2. ^ Barrow, Bill (February 18, 2023). "Carter Center: Former President Jimmy Carter in hospice care". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  3. ^ McKend, Eva; Rose, Andy (February 25, 2023). "Jimmy Carter's children and grandchildren remain at his side during hospice care, relative says". CNN.
  4. ^ "99 days until Jimmy Carter turns 99". Fox 5 Atlanta. June 24, 2023.
  5. ^ Pengelly, Martin (August 20, 2023). "Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in 'final chapter', ex-president's grandson says". The Guardian.
  6. ^ Irwin, Lauren (September 15, 2023). "Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn 'coming to the end,' grandson says". The Hill.
  7. ^ Sutton, Joe; D'Antonio, Isabelle (September 23, 2023). "Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter visit Georgia festival ahead of former president's 99th birthday, Carter Center says". CNN Politics. CNN.
  8. ^ Iyer, Kaanita (November 17, 2023). "Former first lady Rosalynn Carter enters hospice care". CNN Politics. CNN.
  9. ^ Arkin, Daniel (November 19, 2023). "Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and tireless humanitarian who advocated for mental health issues, dies at 96". NBC News.
  10. ^ Reporters, Telegraph (October 2, 2024). "Watch: Jimmy Carter's 100th birthday celebrated with flyover". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  11. ^ Reilly, Katie (January 20, 2017). "How Jimmy Carter Beat Cancer and Became the Oldest President to Attend an Inauguration". Time. Archived from the original on January 20, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  12. ^ Jacobo, Julia (March 21, 2019). "Jimmy Carter is poised to be the president who has lived the longest in US history". ABC News. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
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  14. ^ Carlson, Adam (October 15, 2019). "Jimmy Carter: Why I Chose Habitat and How I Keep Going". People. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  15. ^ Sullivan, Kevin; Walsh, Edward (December 29, 2024). "Jimmy Carter, 39th president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, dies at 100, his son says". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  16. ^ Suggs, Ernie; Quinn, Christopher (December 29, 2024). "Former President Jimmy Carter dies at 100". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  17. ^ Rojas, Rick; Baker, Peter (December 29, 2024). "Jimmy Carter Dies at 100". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 30, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  18. ^ Forrest, Jack (December 29, 2024). "President Joe Biden says America lost a "remarkable leader" in Jimmy Carter". CNN. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
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  21. ^ "From Gov. Brian Kemp to Mike Pence, social media reacts to death of Jimmy Carter at 100". Yahoo News. December 29, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  22. ^ "Jimmy Carter voted for Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton". NBC News. May 9, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  23. ^ "X - Delta". X. December 30, 2024.
  24. ^ Houck, Caroline (December 29, 2024). "World leaders mourn Jimmy Carter while celebrating his legacy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 30, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  25. ^ a b c "World leaders react to former US President Jimmy Carter's death". Reuters. December 30, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  26. ^ "Yunus pays tribute to late US president Jimmy Carter". The Daily Star. December 31, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  27. ^ Template:Https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-835356
  28. ^ Humayun, Hira; Rios, Michael (December 30, 2024). "How world leaders are reacting to Jimmy Carter's death". CNN. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  29. ^ "President sends a Condolence Message on the passing of Former President of United States". The President's Office. December 30, 2024.
  30. ^ Xie, Kawala; Magnier, Mark (December 30, 2024). "China mourns death of former US president Jimmy Carter, 'promoter' of diplomatic ties". South China Morning Post. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
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  34. ^ Quevado, Richbon (December 30, 2024). "Marcos pays tribute to the late Jimmy Carter". Daily Tribune. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  35. ^ @SuluhuSamia (December 30, 2024). "On behalf of the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, I extend our heartfelt condolences to President Jimmy Carter's family, the Government, and the people of the United States of America on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter. President Carter's life in public service impacted millions of lives across the world. He will forever be remembered as a model for those who aspire to serve their communities, nations and our world with kindness and humility. May his soul Rest in Peace. Amen" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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  40. ^ House, The White (December 30, 2024). "Proclamation Announcing the Death of James Earl Carter, Jr". The White House. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
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  45. ^ Army Regulation 600–25 Salutes, Honors, and Visits of Courtesy (PDF). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Army. 2004. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 7, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  46. ^ "West Point to honor President Jimmy Carter with ceremonial cannon blasts". News12. December 30, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  47. ^ "Aberdeen Proving Ground pays tribute to former President Jimmy Carter with ceremonial cannon firing". WMAR-TV. December 30, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  48. ^ Ripley, Joe (December 30, 2024). "'A normal guy from a small town': Plains reflects on life of former President Jimmy Carter". WAGA-TV. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  49. ^ "U.S. House of Representatives". CSPAN. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  50. ^ Iannelli, Nick (December 30, 2024). "DC church remembers special connection to Jimmy Carter". WTOP-AM. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  51. ^ "United Methodist Church Bishops mourn President Carter". unitedmethodistbishops.org. United Methodist Church. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  52. ^ "First Presidency Honors the Life of US President Jimmy Carter". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  53. ^ "Pope praises Jimmy Carter's 'deep Christian faith'". usccb.org. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
  54. ^ "State Funerals". jtfncr.mdw.army.mil. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
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  59. ^ "A guide to funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter". Associated Press. December 31, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
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