Jimmy Carter: A Nation Says Goodbye

The funeral ceremonies for former US President Jimmy Carter (1924-2024) began several days ago. A funeral ceremony is planned for today, January 9th, at around 4:00 p.m. German time in Washington, DC. As part of Carter’s state funeral, other former US presidents are expected to gather there to honor the deceased.

As early as 2023, US President Joe Biden (82) stated that he had been personally asked by Carter to give the eulogy after his death. Biden would like to fulfill this wish. Donald Trump (78) is also expected, whose inauguration as the next president will take place on January 20th. The former, living presidents Bill Clinton (78), George W. Bush (78) and Barack Obama (63) are also expected to be present.

A British royal is also expected to attend the funeral ceremony at the National Cathedral in Washington. The palace recently announced that Prince Edward (60), younger brother of King Charles III. (76), should arrive. The memorial service in Washington is the highlight of the funeral ceremonies before Carter is buried in a more private setting.

Many US citizens are also likely to attend church services or related religious events in their hometowns to commemorate Jimmy Carter. Biden declared January 9th a national day of mourning before the turn of the year. In this context, people were encouraged to gather in churches or similar locations on this day to honor Carter’s memory. President Biden also invited people around the world to join in the celebrations.

Carter, who was President of the United States from 1977 to 1981, died shortly before the new year at the age of 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. As part of the state funeral, Carter’s coffin was laid out in the Capitol in Washington, and a short memorial service was also held. On the morning of January 9th, the coffin will finally be taken by motorcade from there to the Washington National Cathedral. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at around 10:00 a.m. local time and last around an hour.

The ex-president’s remains will then be flown back to his homeland. A private funeral service will be held in Plains before Carter will be buried next to his predeceased wife, Rosalynn (1927-2023).