Jimmy Carter's Death Prompts the Question: What Happens When a President or Former Dies?

James Earl Carter, the oldest living former president of the United States, passed away at the age of 100 at his residence in Plains, Georgia. As a former governor of Georgia, his body will be honored with a lying in repose ceremony in Atlanta before being transported to Washington, D.C. There, his body will lie in state at the U.S. Rotunda for three days, culminating in a state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on January 9, 2025.

Our most recent former president to pass away was George Herbert Walker Bush in December 2018, at 94 years of age. With the passing of these esteemed figures, it is fitting to familiarize ourselves with the customs and practices observed upon the demise of a leader who once held the prestigious title of the President of the United States.

Flags Fly at Half-Mast for 30 Days

While the terms “Half-Staff” and “Half-Mast” are often used interchangeably, the former is typically employed in official governmental settings and in relation to flags displayed on land. Conversely, “Half-Mast” is more frequently utilized in a maritime context. Considering President Carter’s background as a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a former Navy lieutenant before entering the realm of politics after managing his family’s peanut farm, the gesture of lowering flags holds a special significance.

Per presidential declaration, all government buildings, public schools, offices, and military bases will lower their flags to half-staff for 30 days as is the custom when a U.S. president or former president dies. Carter’s date of death was Sunday, December 29, so the White House lowered its flags after President Joseph Robinette Biden’s announcement. The rest of the nation began flying their flags at half-staff on December 30, 2024, and will fly them in this manner until January 28, 2025.

The President Issues an Official Death Announcement

The sitting president is expected to issue a proclamation announcing the death of a president. President Biden made an unofficial proclamation on the social media platform X (which frankly is becoming an official source these days), before his issuance of an official proclamation for the legacy news media.

President-elect Donald John Trump issued a statement on Carter’s passing.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

The President Declares a National Day of Mourning

This tradition began with President John Tyler upon the death of President in 1841 and slowly morphed into the official part of the president’s duties. According to the American Presidency Project, “The current set of rituals are fully apparent by 1969 with the death of Dwight Eisenhower[.]” President Richard Milhous Nixon issued an executive order declaring a Day of Mourning, which “closed all government departments on the day of the funeral, directed that flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days, and directed that suitable honors be rendered by units of the United States Armed Forces.” For me, that last part is the coolest. 

Presidential designations of Days of Mourning are not just for presidential deaths. President Lyndon Baines Johnson declared one for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and President George Walker Bush designated one for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

President Biden issued his executive order on Monday declaring January 9 as a National Day of Mourning on the death of former President Carter.

You May Also Like
Rat birth control coming to Chicago's Wicker Park, Bucktown neighborhoods after being named rattiest city in America by Orkin

New rat birth control program to launch in Chicago’s Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods following Orkin’s rattiest city designation

CHICAGO (WLS) — For the tenth consecutive year, Orkin dubbed Chicago the…
Florida special elections cause Republicans to sweat as they try to increase razor-thin majority

Florida special elections make Republicans nervous as they aim to widen their slim majority

Florida voters are participating in elections on Tuesday to select new House…
Gisele Bundchen, 44, is a bra-free beauty as she is seen in first campaign since welcoming third child

Gisele Bundchen, 44, looks stunning without a bra in her latest campaign after giving birth to her third child

Gisele Bundchen’s first ad campaign since welcoming her third child debuted on…
Tesla owner fights back with warning to Cybertruck vandal, vows to 'make an example' of suspect

Tesla owner issues a warning to Cybertruck vandal and promises to take action against the suspect

As protests against Elon Musk’s Tesla brand are sweeping the United States,…
Wisconsin election results today: Susan Crawford wins Wisconsin Supreme Court seat over Brad Schimel, cementing liberal majority

Susan Crawford defeats Brad Schimel in Wisconsin Supreme Court election, securing liberal majority

MADISON, Wis. — The candidate supported by the Democrats won the election…
Hawaiian doctor’s wife describes moment she realized husband was allegedly trying to kill her

Wife of Hawaii doctor shares the moment she discovered her husband was allegedly plotting to harm her

Freshly revealed information pertaining to a Hawaiian physician accused of trying to…
Keke Palmer Finally Gets Her Movie Star Moment With ‘One of Them Days’

Keke Palmer’s Big Break in Hollywood Arrives with ‘One of Them Days’ Movie

Keke Palmer and SZA star in the buddy comedy One of Them…
Val Kilmer's haunting last post revealed after Batman star's death at 65

Val Kilmer’s voice weakens in his final ‘Batman’ post just two months before passing away at 65 after a prolonged illness

After a devastating years-long battle with throat cancer and deteriorating health, Val Kilmer has…
Narciso Gallardo Fernandez, suspect in fatal Madera Walgreens shooting of Erick Velasquez, had 'grudge' against pharmacies: police

Police: Suspect in deadly Madera Walgreens shooting had a personal vendetta against pharmacies

MADERA, Calif. — A man walked into a Walgreens in California and…
Tuesday Morning Minute: Won't Get Fooled Again

New post: Avoid Being Deceived Again – Tuesday Morning Recap

TOP O’ THE MORNIN’ Red-Hot at RedState  Although it’s good to have…
Survivors still being found from Burma earthquake, but hopes begin to fade as deaths exceed 2,700

More survivors discovered after earthquake hits Burma, but as the death toll surpasses 2,700, optimism diminishes.

The NUG, formed by lawmakers who were removed from power in 2021,…
Screen legend who survived WWII to star in Oscar-winning movie and 80s TV phenomenon celebrates 98th birthday

Celebrated actor from WWII era stars in award-winning film and popular 80s TV show, marks 98th birthday

He is a screen legend who starred in an Oscar-winning movie and a…