WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — Former President Jimmy Carter will be honored Thursday with a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral, before a second service in his hometown in Georgia.
President Joe Biden, who was the first sitting senator to endorse Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign, will deliver a eulogy for his fellow Democrat just 11 days before he leaves office. All of Carter’s living successors are expected to attend the Washington funeral, including President-elect Donald Trump.
A departure ceremony for the 39th president’s casket will begin at the Capitol around 9 a.m. ET, with the official state funeral set to start at 10 a.m. ET
President-elect Donald Trump joins visitors to Jimmy Carter’s casket in Capitol Rotunda
The service will include scripture reading by family members, music performed by the U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra, and participation by a special honor guard.
The Carter Foundation has encouraged the public to join in honoring and celebrating Carter’s life and legacy.
Mourners pay respects to President Carter
Thousands of Americans, including Trump and Melania Trump, have paid their respects to Carter as his remains laid in state inside the Capitol for the past two days.
“I think that he is just an inspiration in terms of his civility, kindness, politeness, his public service, his professionalism. I think that he really embodies a lot of values that I’d like to see come back to this country,” a woman who visited Carter at the Capitol said.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter left behind enduring nonprofits as part of their legacy of giving back
“As a gentleman, I admired the way that he lived a very humble lifestyle as a president,” said Tim Richey, who visited Carter at the Capitol.
Washington National Cathedral has hosted four state funerals for several former presidents, most recently for President George H.W. Bush in 2018.
President Carter to be buried next to wife in Georgia
After services in D.C., Carter’s body will return to Plains, Georgia, for a second smaller funeral limited to family, friends and members of Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter taught Sunday school after he left the White House.
He will be buried alongside his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, in the same town where they were born, lived most of their lives and died.
The White House shared a statement with NewsNation in which Biden praised Carter, describing him as, “A man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
