Biden thanked the Democrat for his friendship and highlighted his “character”; Carter’s body will be buried in Georgia next to his wife Rosalynn
The funeral of former president Jimmy Carter (1924-2024) was held this Thursday (January 9, 2025) at the Washington DC Cathedral. The ceremony brought together President Joe Biden and all living former presidents of the United States. The Democrat on December 29, 2024, at age 100.
In his speech, Biden praised the “strength of character” of Carter, whom he called a friend. “A white Southern Baptist who led civil rights, a decorated Navy veteran who negotiated peace, a brilliant nuclear engineer who led nuclear nonproliferation, a hard-working farmer who championed conservation and clean energy, the president who redefined the relationship with the vice president”he declared.
Also speaking were Joshua Carter, grandson of Jimmy Carter, and Steven Ford, son of former US president Gerald Ford, who died on December 26, 2006. During his speech, Steven read a letter written by his father.
“As for me [Gerald Ford]Jimmy, I’m looking forward to our meeting. We have a lot to catch up on. Thank you, Mr President. Welcome back, old friend”said Steven, reading the end of the text.
Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford competed in the US presidential election in 1976. The Democrat was victorious. After that, they both became close friends and promised to speak at each other’s funerals.
Jimmy Carter’s body arrived at the Washington National Cathedral, in the North American capital, at 11:37 am (Brasília time). The coffin was taken by US military personnel to the location.
In addition to Biden, Donald Trump (US president-elect), Kamala Harris (US vice-president), Justin Trudeau (from Canada), Prince Eward (Duke of Edinburgh) and former US presidents were present at the ceremony. Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
See images from Jimmy Carter’s state funeral:
Gallery: Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in Washington DC
In the image, the outside of the Washington National Cathedral, in the North American capital
In the image, the outside of the Washington National Cathedral, in the North American capital
Jimmy Carter’s coffin was carried into the cathedral by US Armed Forces personnel
Jimmy Carter’s coffin was carried into the cathedral by US Armed Forces personnel
President-elect Donald Trump sat next to former President Barack Obama during the ceremony; the Republican was also accompanied by his wife Melania Trump
President-elect Donald Trump sat next to former President Barack Obama during the ceremony; the Republican was also accompanied by his wife Melania Trump
All living former presidents of the United States attended the funeral and sat together; in the image (from left to right), Bill Clinton (Democrat), George W. Bush (Republican), Barack Obama (Democrat) and Donald Trump (Republican)
All living former presidents of the United States attended the funeral and sat together; in the image (from left to right), Bill Clinton (Democrat), George W. Bush (Republican), Barack Obama (Democrat) and Donald Trump (Republican)
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris sat in the row in front of the former North Americans present
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris sat in the row in front of the former North Americans present
In the image, Jimmy Carter’s coffin, covered by the US flag, in the center of the Washington National Cathedral
In the image, Jimmy Carter’s coffin, covered by the US flag, in the center of the Washington National Cathedral
BURIAL
With the state funeral over, Carter’s body will return to Georgia. A private funeral will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, the Democrat’s hometown. He taught the church’s Sunday school.
At the end of the ceremony, a procession will accompany the coffin to Carter’s residence. There, the US Navy will perform a ceremonial flyover in honor of the Democrat’s service as a lieutenant during his military career and as commander in chief of the Armed Forces while he was president.
Finally, Carter will be buried next to his wife Rosalynn Carter in November 2023. The burial ceremony will be restricted to family and close friends.
The date of this Thursday (9th January) was declared as “National Day of Mourning in the United States” by Biden. All executive departments and agencies of the federal government closed out of respect for Carter. The US Stock Exchange.
Additionally, flags are flown at half-mast on all public buildings and lands. The gesture has been in effect since December 29, when the country declared official mourning for 1 month.
The practice of lowering flags to half-mast is a tradition to express mourning for public figures who have died. In the case of deceased US presidents, it is held for 30 days. Trump because flags will still be at half-mast when he takes office on January 20th.
