The United States will hold a state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 100, at the Washington National Cathedral on January 9, as announced by the U.S. Army.
President Joe Biden, who revealed last year that Carter had personally requested him to deliver the eulogy, has declared January 9 a national day of mourning across the country in honor of the late leader.
The six-day commemorative events will commence on Saturday, beginning in Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia.
A motorcade will transport his remains through the town, making a stop at the farm where he was raised.
In tribute, the National Park Service will ring the farm’s historic bell 39 times, symbolizing Carter’s role as the 39th president of the United States.
Following this, Carter’s remains will be taken to Atlanta, where they will lie in repose at the Carter Presidential Center until the morning of January 7.
The body will then be flown to Washington, D.C., where he will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol before the funeral service at the National Cathedral.
After the national ceremony, a private family service and burial will be held in Georgia on the same day.
Carter will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Rosalynn Carter, at their longtime residence in Plains.
Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, served as president from 1977 to 1981 after defeating Republican Gerald Ford in the 1976 election.
His presidency is remembered for significant achievements such as the 1978 Camp David Accords, which helped foster peace between Israel and Egypt.
In his post-presidential years, Carter dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts, earning the Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment to global peace and development.
Tributes from world leaders and former presidents have described him as a compassionate and principled leader with a lasting impact on the Middle East and beyond.
