STATE
President Joe Biden has declared today, Jan. 9, a national day of mourning following the death of former President Jimmy Carter.
Biden delivered a eulogy at Carter’s service in Washington D.C. on Thursday, which was attended by all five living presidents. The state funeral service was a rare joint appearance of the former commander-in-chiefs, just days before Trump will be inaugurated for a second term in Washington.
Who else was in attendance, and who spoke at the funeral? Here’s a recap.
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Public memorial observances for Jimmy Carter will take place in Georgia and at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., according to the White House and the Carter Center.
In a statement, Biden said he would order an official state funeral for Carter, the 39th president. His body will lay in state at the Capitol, as have other presidents.
Ceremonies for Carter on Jan. 9 are scheduled for the following times in Eastern Time, as reported by the Savannah Morning News:
- 9 a.m. ET, U.S. Capitol: A ceremony will be held the motorcade departs for the Washington National Cathedral.
- 9:30 a.m., Washington National Cathedral: An arriving ceremony will follow the motorcade’s arrival.
- 10 a.m., Washington National Cathedral: The National Funeral Service will take place.
- 11:15 a.m., Washington National Cathedral: Carter’s family will leave the ceremony and travel to Joint Base Andrews via the motorcade. They will depart to Georgia on Special Air Mission 39.
- 2 p.m., Lawson Army Airfield: The Carter family will arrive at the military airport in Fort Moore, Georgia. They will travel by another motorcade to Plains.
- 3:45 p.m., Maranatha Baptist Church: A private funeral service will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains.
- 4:45 p.m.: The Carter family will leave by motorcade and travel to Carter’s private residence.
- 5:20 p.m., Carter Residence: A private internment will take place, where Carter will be buried next to his wife. Rosalynn died in 2023 at the age of 96.
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Why was Michelle Obama not at Jimmy Carter’s funeral?
While former presidents and their wives gathered in the pews of the National Cathedral for Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, former first lady Michelle Obama was notably missing from the congregation.
According to CNN coverage of Carter’s funeral, Michelle Obama had “scheduling conflicts” Thursday and is “still in Hawaii.”
Her husband, former President Barack Obama, was in attendance seated next to President-elect Donald Trump. The Obamas had campaigned heavily for Trump’s 2024 opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, who was also in attendance.
Barack Obama and Trump could be seen conversing for several minutes before the start of the funeral, with Obama at one point smiling and laughing.
Who spoke at Jimmy Carter’s funeral?
President Joe Biden opened his eulogy with a reflection on his 2021 visit to Plains, Ga., the last time he saw Carter before his death.
Biden and wife, Jill, visited Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, at their ranch home, where the elder couple “greeted us like family,” Biden said.
“Jimmy Carter’s friendship taught me…strength of character,” Biden added. “It’s the strength to understand that everyone should be treated with dignity, respect.”
Jimmy Carter’s grandsons Jason and Joshua Carter delivered family tributes. Steve Ford, son of former President Gerald Ford, read a eulogy written by his late father. Likewise, son of Carter’s vice president Walter Mondale, Ted Mondale, gave a eulogy by his late father.
Stu Eizenstat, a former White House adviser and friend to the 39th president, recounted Carter’s presidential accomplishments and delivered a personal tribute.
Who attended Jimmy Carter’s funeral? See list
All five living presidents, past and present, attended Jimmy Carter’s funeral. Here are some of the notable figures who were there:
- President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden
- President-Elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump
- Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff
- Former President Barack Obama
- Former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton
- Former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush
- Steve Ford, son of former President Gerald Ford
- Ted Mondale, son of Carter’s vice president Walter Mondale
- Andrew Young, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
- Duke of Edinburgh Prince Edward, brother to King Charles III
- Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
- Stu Eizenstat, former White House adviser and friend to Carter
- Jason and Joshua Carter, Carter’s grandsons
— USA TODAY contributed to this report.
