Wikipedia

Death and state funeral of Jimmy Carter

funeral of the 39th U.S. president

On December 29, 2024, Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his post-presidential work, died 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 only president to have turned 100 years old.

Death and state funeral of Jimmy Carter
Carter's casket being taken by a horse-drawn carriage down Washington, D.C.
DateDecember 29, 2024 – January 9, 2025 (2024-12-29 – 2025-01-09)
LocationWashington, D.C., United States
Organized byPresident Joe Biden
BurialJimmy and Rosalynn Carter House
Lying in stateUnited States Capitol

Background

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After many years of health problems, such as 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 more medical help.[2] The following week after the announcement, it was said 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 was "in great spirits, visiting with family and still enjoying ice cream".[4]

Death

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On December 29, 2024, Carter died at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter's son, James E. Carter III, announced his death at 3:45 p.m. EST.[5]

Reactions

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President Joe Biden delivering remarks about the death and legacy of Carter

President Joe Biden said 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."[6] In an address from Saint Croix, Biden said that Carter was a "remarkable leader".[7]

Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton paid tribute to Carter.[8] Other world leaders such as French president Emmanuel Macron, European Council president António Costa, Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Panamanian president José Raúl Mulino, Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, British prime minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III,[9] Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel, Bangladeshi Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus,[10] Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Hungarian prime minster Viktor Orban released statements mourning Carter.[11] 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."[12][13]

In Carter's home state of Georgia, political leaders such as Governor Brian Kemp, former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler, the state's congressional delegation and many others by both Republicans and Democrats in Georgia released statements.

A moment of silence was held for Carter at the United Nations Security Council on December 30.[14]

Funeral

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Georgia memorial

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On the morning of January 4, 2025, Carter's remains were taken by motorcade to Atlanta from Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia. The motorcade traveled to the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains and stopped at the house Carter and wife Rosalynn built and lived since 1962. It then travelled to his boyhood home in nearby Archery, where the National Park Service saluted him, and the farm's bell rang 39 times in honor of him being the 39th U.S. President.[15] It then made its way to Atlanta,[16] where his service as Governor of Georgia was honored at the Georgia State Capitol[17] with 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.[18] Carter's remains were then taken to the Carter Center.[19] He lay in repose at the Carter Center from January 4 to 7.

Washington D.C. memorial services

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Carter lying in state in the United States Capitol, January 7, 2025

On January 7, Carter's remains were taken from the Carter Center to Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, and were then flown to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.[20] Carter's remains were given a 21-gun salute while "Hail to the Chief" played.[21][22] While the U.S. Air Force Band played a version of "Abide With Me", Carter's remains were then taken by motorcade to the United States Navy Memorial. Following another ruffles and flourishes ceremony where a Navy band played "Hail to the Chief" and the hymn "Just As I Am," the casket was taken to a horse-drawn carriage for a funeral procession to the United States Capitol while traveling with military members along the route which Carter took during his 1977 inaugural parade.[23][24] The transfer site honored Carter's place as the only United States Naval Academy graduate to become president.[25]

A service at the U.S. Capitol was attended by Vice President Kamala Harris, members of Congress, the Supreme Court, Governors, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Cabinet, ambassadors, and the Joint Chiefs was held for Carter.[26]

State funeral

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A state funeral was held for Carter on January 9, 2025.[27] President Biden also declared January 9 to be a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States.[28]

 
Carter's casket being carried to the Washington National Cathedral on January 9, 2025

Biden delivered Carter's eulogy.[29] Joshua and Jason Carter, Carter's grandsons, also gave readings and the opening homily was delivered by the Reverend Andrew Young, a civil rights leader who was also Carter's former United States Ambassador to the United Nations. His grandson James E. Carter IV also quoted Matthew 5:1–16.[30] Eulogies were delivered by Jason and Joshua Carter; 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; Ted Mondale on behalf of his father, Walter Mondale, Carter's vice-president, who died in 2021; Stuart E. Eizenstat, issues director of Carter's 1970 gubernatorial campaign, Chief Domestic Policy Adviser during Carter's presidency and former Ambassador to the European Union,[31][32] and Reverend Young.[33]

All five living U.S. presidents were in attendance, as well as all living U.S. first ladies, except Michelle Obama. Also in attendance were Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and former vice presidents Dan Quayle, Al Gore, Mike Pence, plus vice president-elect JD Vance.

Return to Plains and burial

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After the funeral in Washington, D.C., Carter's remains were driven by motorcade to Joint Base Andrews and were transported back to Georgia on a military flight. When he arrived in Georgia, Carter's remains traveled by motorcade to Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains for a private funeral service with his family and close friends.[34][35]

After another performance of "Hail to the Chief", "It Is Well With My Soul" and "Old Rugged Cross" again played as casket was taken out of the church.[36][37] Carter’s remains were transported through Plains to his home for a private burial.[38]

References

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  1. ↑ Sullivan, Kevin (18 February 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. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Rojas, Rick; Baker, Peter (December 29, 2024). "Jimmy Carter Dies at 100". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  7. ↑ Forrest, Jack (December 29, 2024). "President Joe Biden says America lost a "remarkable leader" in Jimmy Carter". CNN. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  8. ↑ Ruberg, Sara; Livni, Ephrat; Levenson, Michael (December 29, 2024). "U.S. presidents pay tribute to Carter". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  9. ↑ Houck, Caroline (December 29, 2024). "World leaders mourn Jimmy Carter while celebrating his legacy". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Yunus pays tribute to late US president Jimmy Carter". The Daily Star. 31 December 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  11. ↑ Humayun, Michael Rios, Hira (2024-12-30). "How world leaders are reacting to Jimmy Carter's death". CNN. Retrieved 2024-12-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ "From Gov. Brian Kemp to Mike Pence, social media reacts to death of Jimmy Carter at 100". Yahoo News. 2024-12-29. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  13. ↑ "Jimmy Carter voted for Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton". NBC News. 2017-05-09. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  14. ↑ "Jimmy Carter is being mourned in his tiny hometown and around the world". Associated Press. 31 December 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  15. ↑ Payne, Kate; Barrow, Bill (January 4, 2024). "Jimmy Carter's flag-draped casket is on its way to Atlanta as 39th president's state funeral begins". Associated Press. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Jimmy Carter funeral updates: Former president's casket driven to Atlanta for three days of public mourning". Yahoo News. January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Jimmy Carter ceremonies updates: Former president to remain in Atlanta through Tuesday". Yahoo News. January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  18. ↑ Fine, Camille (January 4, 2025). "Photos: Former President Jimmy Carter honored with services in Georgia". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  19. ↑ Haney, Addie (January 4, 2025). "Re-watch:Jimmy Carter's funeral service at The Carter Center". 11 Alive. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  20. ↑ "State Funerals". jtfncr.mdw.army.mil. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  21. ↑ Atlanta News First (January 7, 2025). "1-gun salute honors former President Jimmy Carter as his body departs for Washington, D.C." YouTube. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Former President Jimmy Carter now lying in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. January 8, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  23. ↑ "A Commander-in-Chief's Final Journey Led by Military Tradition". January 7, 2025. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  24. ↑ https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/president-jimmy-carter-funeral-services%7Ctitle=Jimmy Carter’s body to lie in state at U.S. Capitol Rotunda as Congress members pay respects
  25. ↑ Barrow, Bill; Cooper, Jonathan (January 7, 2025). "Jimmy Carter's remains arrive in Washington". Los Angeles, California: KABC-TV. AP. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  26. ↑ "State Funeral for former President Jimmy Carter: Sequence of Events for January 7, 2025". JTF-NCR/USAMDW. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  27. ↑ "Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100". AP News. 2024-12-29. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  28. ↑ "Proclamation Announcing the Death of James Earl Carter, Jr". The White House. 2024-12-30. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  29. ↑ Judd, Donald (2023-03-14). "Biden says Carter asked him to deliver his eulogy | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  30. ↑ "Jimmy Carter's grandsons Jason, Joshua and James all speak at funeral". 11 Alive News. 2025-01-09. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  31. ↑ Baker, Peter (December 30, 2024). "Carter Funeral Service to Be Held at Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9". The New York Times. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  32. ↑ Baker, Peter (2024-12-30). "Jimmy Carter's Funeral Will Be Held on Jan. 9 in Washington". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2024-12-30. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  33. ↑ "WATCH: Rev. Andrew Young remembers Jimmy Carter's legacy pursuing equality". PBS.
  34. ↑ "Videos". FOX 5 Atlanta. January 9, 2025.
  35. ↑ Rojas, Rick; Cochrane, Emily; Medina, Eduardo (January 9, 2025). "Presidential Funeral Updates: Jimmy Carter's Hometown Gives Him a Final Farewell" – via NYTimes.com.
  36. ↑ "The Latest: Jimmy Carter's Georgia funeral ends". Las Vegas Sun News.
  37. ↑ Press, Associated Press The Associated (January 9, 2025). "The Latest: Jimmy Carter's Georgia funeral ends". KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News.
  38. ↑ "A guide to funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter". Associated Press. 31 December 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
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