Live Broadcast: Jimmy Carter’s Last Day of Memorial Events – What to Expect on Thursday

Former President Jimmy Carter is being honored today as the nation observes the final day of mourning for the 39th president of the United States. Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on Dec. 29, is being remembered for his life and legacy.

The day began with Carter’s flag-draped casket on display at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, where members of the public paid their respects throughout the night. At 7 a.m., the casket was transported to the Washington National Cathedral for a national funeral service set to start at 10 a.m. President Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver the eulogy to a crowd of 3,000 attendees.

RELATED: U.S. Capitol service concludes for President Jimmy Carter, casket now lies in state | Recap

Following the funeral service, Carter’s remains will be taken back to Plains, Georgia, his hometown, for burial. A private burial ceremony at his residence will include a military caisson procession, a 21-gun salute, and a missing man flyover as part of the final farewell to the former president.

These are approximate times that could potentially change.

• 7 a.m. – Lying in state concludes
• 8:45 a.m. – Carter family departs from Blair House by motorcade
• 9 a.m. – Departure ceremony from U.S. Capitol
• 9:15 a.m. – Motorcade departs for Washington National Cathedral
• 9:30 a.m. – Motorcade with Carter family arrives at Washington National Cathedral
• 9:55 a.m. – Carter’s remains carried into the cathedral during a brief arrival ceremony
• 10 a.m. – National funeral service (expected to last 75 minutes)
• 11:15 a.m. – Departure from Washington National Cathedral to Joint Base Andrews
• 11:45 a.m. – Carter family arrives at Joint Base Andrews and boards Special Air Mission 39
• 12:15 p.m. – Special Air Mission 39 departs for Lawson Army Airfield in Fort Moore, Georgia
• 2 p.m. – Arrival at Lawson Army Airfield
• 2:30 p.m. – Motorcade departs for Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia
• 3:30 p.m.– Arrival at Maranatha Baptist Church
  • Honor guard and military band participate in the arrival ceremony
• 3:45 p.m. – Funeral service at Maranatha Baptist Church (family and church members only; 45-minute service)
• 4:30 p.m. – Departure ceremony from Maranatha
• 4:45 p.m.– Motorcade travels through downtown Plains
  • Public invited to line the route as Carter makes his final journey through his hometown
  • Military caisson carries Carter’s remains from Maranatha Baptist Church to the burial site (1.6 miles)
• 5:20 p.m.– Arrival at Carter residence for private interment and burial
  • Military cannons will salute
  • Missing man flyover above the gravesite

A national funeral service will be held for President Carter at 10 a.m. on  Thursday, Jan. 9, at the National Cathedral in Washington. 11Alive will stream the funeral and other observances this week on all our digital platforms, including the 11Alive+ app. Search “11Alive” on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV devices to download and watch live. 

Below, you can re-watch Carter’s journey to the nation’s capitol building.

The 39th president died Sunday Dec. 29, 2024 after entering hospice care in February 2023. He lived another 22 months at home in his cherished hometown of Plains, Georgia.

His passing follows a year after the death of his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, who died on Nov. 19, 2023, at 96 years old. The couple forged the longest presidential marriage in U.S. history, an iconic love story as well as an enduring political and philanthropic partnership. 

RELATED: A presidential love story | Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter’s love through the years

Turning 100 on Oct. 1, 2024, President Carter reached a milestone: becoming the longest-living U.S. president, a feat that no other person to hold the title has reached. 

He is also the only president from Georgia. James Earl Carter, Jr. was born in Plains on Oct. 1, 1924 to James Earl Carter, Sr. and Lillian Gordy Carter. Famously, the family business was peanut farming, and the Baptist Church was another mainstay of his upbringing.

His list of accomplishments runs long, dedicating his life to helping and serving others. He spent time in the Navy, served as governor of Georgia from 1971-75 and served as Georgia state senator from 1963-67. 

Carter served president in the White House for one term, from 1977-81. 

The Carter Center shared the late president he is survived by children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. In addition to his beloved wife, Rosalynn, he was preceded in death by one grandchild.

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