Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president who considered himself an outsider even while in the Oval Office, will be honored Thursday with a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral. A second service and burial will take place in his small hometown of Plains, Georgia.
President Joe Biden, the first sitting senator to endorse Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign, will deliver a eulogy just 11 days before Carter’s presidential term would have officially ended. All living former U.S. presidents are expected to attend the Washington funeral, including President-elect Donald Trump, who paid his respects on Wednesday before Carter’s casket.
This rare gathering of past and present leaders marks an extraordinary moment of unity for the nation. Over the past days, political figures, business leaders, and everyday citizens have paid tribute to Carter’s legacy, emphasizing his decency and tireless work ethic, both during and after his presidency.
“He set a very high bar for presidents, showing how leadership can be used for meaningful causes,” said Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, whose foundation supported Carter’s efforts to eradicate diseases like Guinea worm. Gates, who will attend the funeral, praised Carter’s ability to leverage prestige and resources for societal good, even after leaving office.
Bernice King, the daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., compared Carter to her father, saying, “Both President Jimmy Carter and my father showed us what is possible when faith compels you to live and lead from a love-centered place.” She will also attend the service.
Ted Mondale, the son of Walter Mondale, Carter’s vice president, is expected to deliver a eulogy written by his late father, who passed away in 2021.
Thursday’s events will cap six days of national mourning that began in Plains, Georgia, Carter’s birthplace and lifelong home. Ceremonies have taken place in Atlanta and Washington, where Carter’s flag-draped casket has lain in state since Tuesday, drawing long lines of mourners. Tributes have highlighted his humanitarian work after leaving office, which many see as the most enduring part of his legacy.
After the morning service in Washington, Carter’s remains will return to Georgia aboard a Boeing 747 typically used as Air Force One when a sitting president is onboard. His final funeral will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter taught Sunday school for decades. His casket will rest beneath a wooden cross he handcrafted in his woodshop.
Following a final ride through Plains, including a stop at the old train depot that served as his 1976 campaign headquarters, Carter will be laid to rest on family land, beside his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in 2023 after 77 years of marriage.
Carter’s presidency, from 1977 to 1981, was marked by significant achievements, including the Camp David Accords, a historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. However, he also faced challenges such as inflation, high interest rates, and international crises, leading to his landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan in 1980.
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Despite his short presidential tenure, Carter’s post-presidency work became his defining legacy. In 1982, he and Rosalynn founded The Carter Center, a nongovernmental organization that championed causes such as fighting disease, mediating conflicts, and advocating for human rights. The center, which now employs thousands globally, remains a testament to the Carters’ lifelong commitment to service.
