Jimmy Carter Honored in Capitol Rotunda Ahead of State Funeral
Carter’s remains will remain at the Capitol until Thursday morning when they will be transported to Washington National Cathedral for a state funeral.
WASHINGTON—The late President Jimmy Carter lies in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, where bipartisan tributes and public mourning continue ahead of his state funeral. Carter, the 39th president of the United States, passed away on December 29 at the age of 100.
Carter, a Democrat from Georgia, served as president from 1977 to 1981. Known for his outsider status in the wake of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, his administration grappled with economic challenges and international crises. Despite his single term ending in defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan, Carter’s legacy has been reevaluated over time, with historians offering a more favorable view of his presidency and post-White House humanitarian efforts.
On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Mike Johnson joined other lawmakers to honor Carter’s lifelong commitment to public service, faith, and global humanitarian work. His flag-draped casket rests on the historic Lincoln catafalque, allowing the public to pay their respects.
Carter’s remains will remain at the Capitol until Thursday morning when they will be transported to Washington National Cathedral for a state funeral. President Joe Biden, a close ally of Carter, will deliver a eulogy, highlighting their decades-long friendship. Several former presidents, including Donald Trump, are expected to attend the service.
Following the state funeral, Carter’s body will return to Georgia aboard a presidential aircraft. A private funeral service will take place at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where Carter taught Sunday School for decades.
Carter will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Rosalynn Carter, near the home they built in 1961 before his political career began. The burial will mark the final chapter of a life dedicated to public service, faith, and humility.
