Highlights from state funeral service of former President Jimmy Carter

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The United States will honor the life and legacy of its 39th president, James Earl Carter Jr., during an official state funeral service Thursday at Washington National Cathedral.

Carter, the longest-lived U.S. president, died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100. His life ended in the same small town where it began: Plains, Georgia.

He returned to his hometown after four turbulent years in the White House and dedicated the rest of his life to public service. He and his wife, Rosalynn, founded the Carter Center, took part in Habitat for Humanity builds, and led efforts to eradicate Guinea Worm Disease. A man of deep religious faith, Carter taught occasional Sunday School classes well into his 90s.

The former president lived in hospice care for 19 months before passing away. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Rosalynn, who died in November 2023 at the age of 96. The Carters were married in 1946 and celebrated their 77th anniversary six months before Rosalynn Carter’s death.

President Joe Biden declared Thursday, Jan. 9, as a National Day of Mourning.

Carter’s casket will be transported from the U.S. Capitol at 9 a.m. to Washington National Cathedral for a state funeral that is expected to begin at 10 a.m.

All living former U.S. presidents are expected to attend, as are a number of national and foreign dignitaries and members of the Carter family. President Joe Biden will deliver a eulogy.

Order of events:

• Tributes during the service include remarks from Steve Ford (written by former President Gerald Ford), Ted Mondale (written by former Vice President Walter Mondale), Stu Eizenstat, Jason Carter, and President Joe Biden.

• Musical selections and performances include: “The Road Home” by the Cathedral Choir; “Amazing Grace” by Phyllis Adams and Lelia Bolden of Song Rise to Thee; and “Imagine” by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

• The service also includes readings from Joshua and Jason Carter and a homily from The Honorable Andrew Young, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
• Carter’s remains and his family will depart the cathedral for Joint Base Andrews for a flight to Georgia.
• An invitation-only funeral at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. Carter will then be buried next to his wife, the former first lady, in a private service after 5 p.m.

Click here to share your condolences on the Carter Center website.

1:30 p.m.

With the casket and Carter’s family on board Special Air Mission 39, the pallbearers and motorcade leave the runway. Special Air Mission 39 prepares to depart for Lawson Army Airfield on Fort Moore, Georgia.

A private, invitation-only funeral at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. The motorcade will take the former president on a procession through downtown Plains to the Carter residence, where a private interment will take place after 5 p.m. Carter will be buried next to his late wife, Rosalynn.

1:20 p.m.

The motorcade and hearse have arrived at Joint Base Andrews. The casket was placed on Special Air Mission 39, the plane designated as Air Force One when the sitting president is on board, for a flight to Lawson Army Airfield on Fort Moore, Georgia.

12:10 p.m.

The last hymn begins and the procession forms. Then, the casket is carried down the cathedral’s main aisle. Once outside, ceremonial troops present arms and render honors.

Once the casket is placed in the hearse, Carter and his family will travel by motorcade to Joint Base Andrews, where they will board Special Air Mission 39 for a flight to Lawson Army Airfield in Georgia.

11:55 a.m.

Country stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood perform “Imagine” and several religious leaders offer prayers.

11:45 a.m.

Next is a reading of scripture by James Carter and a homily from The Honorable Andrew Young, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

11:30 a.m.

President Joe Biden is next to speak. He starts the eulogy by describing a visit to the Carter home.

“In 2021, Jill and I visited Jimmy and Rosalynn on a warm spring day in Plains, Georgia. Rosalynn met us at the front door with her signature smile. That day, we shared memories that spanned nearly six decades.”

President Biden says their friendship began in 1974, when he was a 31-year-old senator and the first U.S. Senator outside of Georgia — or maybe the first senator overall — to endorse Carter’s candidacy for president. Their friendship continued for the rest of Carter’s life.

“Jimmy Carter’s life was the story of a man…who came from a house without running water or electricity and rose to the pinnacle of power,” Biden said. “The story of a man who never let the ties of politics divert him from his mission to serve and shape the world.”

In closing, Biden says, “To young people in search of meaning and purpose, study the power of Jimmy Carter’s example. I miss him, but I take solace in knowing that he and his beloved Rosalynn are reunited again. To the Carter family…thank you for sharing them both with the world.”

11:15 a.m.

Next to speak is Jason Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter.

“My grandfather was likely to show up at the door in short shorts and crocs. The refrigerator was papered with pictures of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their phone, of course, had a cord and was stuck to the wall in the kitchen. And, demonstrating their Depression roots, they had a rack where they would hang Ziploc bags to dry,” Carter said, describing the former president’s home life.

Carter says he sometimes felt like he shared his grandfather with the world. “Today is one of those days. But really, he shared the world with me. The power of an atom. The beauty and complexity of the south Georgia forest.”

His voice clouded with emotion, Jason Carter describes his grandfather’s life as a love story.

“Of course, it’s a love story of Jimmy and Rosalynn. And rest assured, in these last weeks, he told us he was ready to see her again. But his life was also a broader love story about love for his fellow humans, and living out the commandment to love your neighbor as you love thyself,” Carter said. “His life was a love story from the moment he woke up until he laid his head.”

In closing, Carter said, “He won’t ever be too far (from us). He’ll be in the kitchen making pancakes, or in the workshop finishing a cradle, or standing in a trout stream. Or, for me, walking along the streets of Georgia, where he was from.”

After the eulogy, Carter pauses at the flag-draped casket of his “Pawpaw” and places his hand upon it. A moment later, he returns to his seat.

11 a.m.

Former Carter White House staffer Stu Eizenstat is the next to speak.

“For one of our nation’s most religious presidents, it’s appropriate to celebrate his life in this cathedral,” Eizenstat said. “His faith brought integrity to the presidency after the Watergate and Vietnam Eras. ‘I’ll never lie to you,’ he promised. It was a vow he kept.”

Carter’s intellect, work discipline, and attention to detail were “crucial to his success at home and abroad,” Eizenstat said. “Much of his agenda passed with bipartisan support — a quaint notion in today’s hyper-polarized politics.”

Eizenstat speaks of Carter’s work creating the Department of Education and FEMA, for his work on climate change and energy independence, and for his efforts to avdance civil rights.

In his relations abroad, Carter “uniquely combined the soft power of human rights…with hard power. He built America’s military strength after its post-Watergate decline. He negotiated a major nuclear arms treaty with the Soviets while, at the same time, initiated every single weapons system that came online in the 1980s. He normalized relations with China. Jimmy Carter’s most lasting achievement, and the one I think he was most proud of, was to bring the first peace to the Middle East through the greatest act of personal diplomacy in U.S. history — the Camp David Accords.”

According to Eizenstat, “personally drafted more than 20 peace proposals and shuttled them between the Sadat and Begin delegations. He saved the agreement at the 11th hour by appealing to Begin’s grandchildren.”

Eizenstat noted that the agreement reached at Camp David between Egypt and Israel has not been violated in the 40 years since it was signed.

In closing, he said:

“In the end, Jimmy Carter taught all of us how to live a life filled with faith and service. He said, ‘I have one life to live. I feel like God wants me to do the best I can do to let me live my life so it can be meaningful.’ Mr. President, you more than achieved that goal. He may not be a candidate for Mount Rushmore, but he belongs in the foothills.”

10:47 a.m.

The next to speak is Ted Mondale, the son of former Vice President Walter Mondale. Mondale, Carter’s vice president, died in 2021.

“My father wrote this in 2015, and he clearly edited it a few times since then, but here we go,” Ted Mondale began.

Mondale wrote:

“President Carter and I became very close friends. We often spent hours together throughout the day. We were working on real problems — not wasting time. The personal relationship we established while in office continued throughout our lives,” Ted Mondale said.

The former vice president praised Carter for his work on climate change, women’s equality, income inequality, and equal housing rights.

“Some thought he was crazy to fight and pass these laws” about climate change, Walter Mondale wrote. “But he was dead right. And we know that now. He also elevated human rights to the top of his agenda.”

Mondale and Carter, toward the end of their time in the White House, came up with a phrase to describe their administration: “We told the truth. We obeyed the law. And we kept the peace.”

In closing, Mondale wrote: “I will always be proud and grateful to have had the chance to work with you toward noble ends. It was, and will always be, the most rewarding experience of my public career.”

10:30 a.m.

Steve Ford, the son of late former President Gerald Ford, is the next to speak. He is delivering remarks written by his father, who died in 2006.

“Dad asked President Carter if he would do a eulogy at his funeral. He graciously agreed, and then asked if Dad would do a eulogy at President Carter’s funeral. Dad was thrilled to agree,” Ford says.

“Dad died in 2006 and President’s Carter’s eulogy continues to bring comfort, smiles, laughter, joy, pride to our family. And thus, on behalf of my dad, it’s an honor to share dad’s eulogy to his old friend.”

The late President Ford wrote:

“By fate of a brief season, Jimmy Carter and I were rivals. But for the many wonderful years that followed, friendship bonded us…like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Since Jimmy has a good decade on me, I’m hedging my bets by trusting my remembrances of Jimmy to my son Steve. According to a map, it’s a long way between Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Plains, Georgia. But distances have a way of vanishing when measured in values, rather in miles. And it was because of our shared values that Jimmy and I respected each other as adversaries, even before we cherished each other as dear friends.

That’s not to say Jimmy didn’t get under my skin…During out 1976 contest, Jimmy knew my political vulnerabilities and successfully pointed them out. Little did I know that the outcome of that 1976 election would bring about one of my greatest and most enduring friendships.”

In closing, Steve Ford told Carter that he is looking forward to their reunion — they have much to catch up on.

10:23 a.m.

Carter’s grandson, Joshua Carter, is the first to speak. He discusses his grandfather as Sunday School teacher. He says his grandfather opened each class by talking about his week.

“When my grandfather won the Nobel Peace Prize, my Sunday School class learned first,” Carter said.

He adds: “He built houses for people who needed homes. He eliminated diseases in forgotten places. He waged peace anywhere in the world, wherever he saw a chance. He loved people.”

He talks about the former president’s deep religious faith and the beliefs he held throughout his life.

10:20 a.m.

The casket carrying the remains of former President Carter is put in place.

10:15 a.m.

The doors between the Narthex and the cathedral open and the procession moves into the cathedral.

Order of march: cross and torches; Verger; Special Honor Guard; Verger; Cathedral Canons; representatives of various faith traditions; family and military clergy and Bishop; national colors; body bearer team with casket; presidential colors; honorary pallbearers.

The casket and body bearers enter the cathedral and move toward the catafalque.

10:08 a.m.

Former President Carter’s casket pauses at the top of the landing and prayers are delivered.

The pallbearers carry the casket inside the cathedral, where it will be placed on the catafalque, a raised wooden platform that supports the coffin of a president or other distinguished person during a funeral or while lying in state.

10:05 a.m.

Ceremonial troops present arms and render honors (Four Ruffles and Flourishes and Hail to the Chief).

The casket is carried up the steps of the Cathedral.

Order of march: Special Honor Guard; national colors; military clergy; pallbearers; presidential colors.

10:03 a.m.

The door of the hearse opens and the pallbearers arrive to remove the casket.

10 a.m.

President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden arrive and are seated next to the vice president and second gentleman.

9:57 a.m.

Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff arrive and are seated in front of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Laura Bush.

9:53 a.m.

Former President Barack Obama arrives and greets former Vice President Al Gore before taking his seat next to President-Elect Donald Trump.

Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush arrive, greet several officials, and take their seats next to Obama.

Former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton arrive and are seated next to the Bushes.

9:52 a.m.

President-elect Donald Trump and future First Lady Melania Trump are seated inside Washington National Cathedral. Trump shook hands with his former vice president, Mike Pence, before taking a seat.

The row of former president and first ladies is behind only the row reserved for President Joe Biden and family.

9:45 a.m.

Tributes during the service include remarks from Steve Ford (written by former President Gerald Ford), Ted Mondale (written by former Vice President Walter Mondale), Stu Eizenstat, Jason Carter, and President Joe Biden.

Musical selections and performances include: “The Road Home” by the Cathedral Choir; “Amazing Grace” by Phyllis Adams and Lelia Bolden of Song Rise to Thee; “Imagine” by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood; “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” sung by the U.S. Marine Orchestra and Armed Forces Chorus; and “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” 

The service also includes readings from Joshua and Jason Carter and a homily from The Honorable Andrew Young, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

9:40 a.m.

The Carter family moves inside the Cathedral. Next, the body bearer team will remove the casket from the hearse.

9:38 a.m.

The hearse stops outside Washington National Cathedral.

9:28 a.m.

The motorcade continues to Washington National Cathedral, where it is expected to arrive at 9:30 a.m.

9:15 a.m.

The hearse and motorcade depart for Washington National Cathedral.

9:05 a.m.

Pallbearers deliver the casket of former President Jimmy Carter to the hearse and the military pallbearers, in dress uniforms, salute.

9:03 a.m.

Pallbearers begin to carry the casket of former President Jimmy Carter down the steps of the U.S. Capitol, where it will be loaded into a hearse and transported to Washington National Cathedral.

As the procession stops at the top of the landing, ceremonial troops present arms and render honors (four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief, and a 21-gun salute).

Immediately following honors, the U.S. Navy band played “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” and “My Faith Looks up to Thee.”