Jimmy Carter's state funeral to be held on Jan. 9
The state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter will be held on Jan. 9 in Washington, D.C, according to a presidential declaration by President Biden.
Mr. Biden also said that day will be a National Day of Mourning for Carter, who died Sunday, Dec. 29, at the age of 100.
"I call on the American people to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President James Earl Carter, Jr.," Mr. Biden said in a statement. "I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance."
Mr. Biden declared that all American flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days at all federal buildings, military posts and naval stations, as well as on all naval vessels. Most of the federal government will be closed on Jan. 9 in observance of the day of mourning, the president said in a proclamation on Monday.
Congressional leaders also announced that Carter will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9. "The Capitol will be open to the public during designated times for those who wish to pay their respects to President Carter," their statement said.
What is a state funeral?
Mr. Biden said there will be a "major service" in Washington to honor Carter, with the venue expected to be the National Cathedral. It will be the first funeral for a former president since 2018, when President George H.W. Bush died.
The state funeral is part of a seven-to-10 day affair, which will consist of three stages. The first stage involves memorials and ceremonies in Georgia, where he lived most of his life.
The next stage involves ceremonies in Washington, which may involve Armed Forces honor guards, elite military bands and other service academies, National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve units, according to the Pentagon.
The Carter Center confirmed Monday that Carter will lie in state in rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.
The next stage is ceremonies in the state where the former president has chosen to be interred. The Carter Center has already said there will be a private ceremony in Plains, Georgia, Carter's hometown.
Who is likely to attend Carter's funeral?
Mr. Biden has previously said Carter asked him to deliver the eulogy at his funeral. First lady Jill Biden is also likely to attend.
Former presidents and former first ladies usually attend the funerals of a fellow former president, so expect to see Barack and Michelle Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, as well as George and Laura Bush.
Will Trump attend Carter's funeral?
President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday that he plans to attend the funeral.
"I'll be there," Trump said. "We were invited members."
He did not attend Rosalynn Carter's funeral in 2023, but his wife Melania Trump attended, along with all the former first ladies.
The last former president to die was George H.W. Bush, who died in 2018 while Trump was in the White House. Trump attended the Washington service for Bush along with Melania Trump.
Trump issued two statements on Sunday night about Carter, saying "we all owe him a debt of gratitude."
Can the public view Carter lying in state?
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader-elect John Thune and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced that Carter's remains will lie in state at the Capitol from the afternoon of Jan. 7 to the morning of Jan. 9, ahead of the funeral.
The Capitol Rotunda will be open to the public during designated times for Americans to pay their respects.
