Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in Washington: live updates as day of mourning for the 39th president

Carter died on December 29 around 3:40 PM at the age of 100.

The centenarian received end-of-life care at his home in Plains, Georgia, where his wife Rosalyn also died on November 19, 2023.

The Democratic former peanut farmer, who served one term in the White House from 1977 to 1981 and devoted the rest of his life to philanthropy, decided against further medical treatment and entered hospice care in February 2023 after a series of hospital stays.

At the age of 100, he was the longest-living former president in American history.

His death was announced by his son Chip, 74, who said:

My father was a hero, not only to me, but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and selfless love. My brothers, sister and I shared it with the rest of the world through these shared beliefs.

The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.

He is survived by his children: Jack, Chip, Jeff and Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Carter will become the sixth US president to receive an official state funeral at the Capitol as the country prepares to honor its late commander in chief.

President Joe Biden announced there will be a national day of mourning for Carter on January 9, to coincide with his funeral. The day is usually observed a few days after the death of the president.

Richard Nixon’s took place five days after his death, Gerald Ford’s a week after his and coincided with his funeral, George HW Bush’s four days after his death, and Reagan’s six days.

Presidential funerals traditionally last five days and take place in three distinct phases, with ceremonies in the president’s home state and then in Washington before deciding where the deceased would be buried.

Carter has long planned to be buried next to his late wife, Rosalyn Carter, in the Plains, Georgia, home they shared, according to People News.

The sitting president and his family are expected to be responsible for planning the funeral ceremonies. The Washington portion of the state funeral takes place at the Washington National Cathedral.

The funeral usually ends in a procession down Pennsylvania Avenue, where the White House is located.

Honor guards form a rifle group and fire a three-volley salute over the grave, according to Reader’s Digest.

The body is then returned to Georgia for burial.

Carter’s flag-draped casket arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Tuesday afternoon, where he was transferred through a military cordon to a hearse during an arrival ceremony.

His casket was then moved to a horse-drawn caisson during a procession at the US Navy Memorial, while members of the Carter family accompanied Carter’s body on its final journey to the US Capitol.

People lined the snow-lined streets to watch the emotional procession as the casket made its way through Washington.

Some mourners held signs expressing their love for the late president.

Carter’s body lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda prior to the state funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage as former US President Jimmy Carter is honored in Washington at his state funeral following his death last month.

The 39th president to serve in the White House died at the age of 100 after an extraordinary life of service in and out of politics.

His state funeral marks a national day of mourning as Carter is remembered by Americans in Washington before being buried in Georgia.

Stick with our coverage as we take you through the day with our reporters in London and New York, plus the most striking photos and video from the service.