The body of former United States President Jimmy Carter was transported to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday in a grand military ceremony, marking the beginning of the late president’s final farewell. Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, is being honored for his life of service, including his presidency from 1977 to 1981 and his global humanitarian efforts post-presidency, for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
A Day of Tribute
The day began in Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, where his casket was placed aboard a presidential U.S. Air Force jet bound for Washington, D.C. Upon arrival, the flag-draped casket was transported in a solemn funeral procession down Pennsylvania Avenue, retracing the path he traveled during his inauguration parade in 1977.
The procession was accompanied by hundreds of U.S. service members and military pallbearers who carried the casket to the Capitol Rotunda, where a brief service was held. Dignitaries including Vice President Kamala Harris, Chief Justice John Roberts, members of Congress, and Carter’s family gathered to honor the former president’s legacy.
Public Tributes
Following the service, members of the public were invited to pay their respects as Carter’s body lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda. A live feed captured mourners pausing in silence to honor the man who dedicated his life to public service.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed his admiration for Carter’s contributions, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “On behalf of the entire Department of Defense, we join the Carter family and all Americans in celebrating this extraordinary life, legacy, and service to our nation.”
State Funeral Planned
A state funeral for Carter will be held on Thursday at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. President Joe Biden, who has declared Thursday a national day of mourning, will deliver the eulogy for his fellow Democrat. Federal offices will be closed, and flags across the country will fly at half-staff for 30 days in Carter’s honor.
All four living former presidents—Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump—are expected to attend the funeral. The National Cathedral has previously hosted funerals for past presidents, including Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush.
A Historic Legacy
Carter is the 13th U.S. president to lie in state at the Capitol, joining the ranks of Abraham Lincoln and other iconic leaders. His milestone as the first U.S. president to reach the age of 100 underscores a life dedicated to service and humanitarianism.
Having been in hospice care since February 2023, Carter passed away in Plains, Georgia, where he will be laid to rest next to his late wife, Rosalynn Carter. His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy as a champion of peace, human rights, and service will endure for generations to come.
