The nation bid farewell to former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100. A series of commemorative events unfolded, beginning in his Georgia hometown of Plains and culminating in Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, Carter's remains arrived in the nation's capital, where he lay in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. His casket was received with a solemn ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, featuring the U.S. Air Force Band's rendition of "Abide with Me." A brief ceremony followed at the U.S. Navy Memorial, acknowledging Carter's service as a submarine officer. A horse-drawn caisson then carried the casket in a procession along Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol.
Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a heartfelt eulogy at the Capitol's lying-in-state ceremony, accompanied by Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. They presented a memorial wreath representing the executive branch. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune also offered tributes, highlighting Carter's remarkable life and legacy.
Speaker Johnson lauded Carter as an "extraordinary man," emphasizing his military service and dedication to humanitarian work through organizations like Habitat for Humanity and The Carter Center. He recalled Carter's inspiring words about living a life of purpose and making every moment count.
The decision for Carter to lie in state was announced last month by Speaker Johnson in a letter to Carter's son, James Carter III. This honor has been bestowed upon only a select group of presidents, with George H.W. Bush being the most recent in 2018. The historic catafalque, first used for Abraham Lincoln's casket, was employed for the ceremony.
The public was granted access to view Carter's casket from early Wednesday until early Thursday, when the official state funeral took place at the Washington National Cathedral. Following the services in Washington, Carter's remains were returned to Plains, Georgia, for a private funeral and burial alongside his wife, Rosalynn.
