5 Key Locations Of The National Farewell: A Retrospective On Jimmy Carter's Public Viewing And State Funeral

The passing of James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th President of the United States, on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, marked the end of an extraordinary life dedicated to public service and humanitarian work. The subsequent state funeral and memorial services, which spanned five days from January 4 to January 9, 2025, became a profound national farewell, offering the American public an opportunity to pay their final respects to the longest-living former president in U.S. history. This retrospective, written on December 10, 2025, details the key events, locations, and moments of the public viewing and national tribute that honored a man whose post-presidency redefined global humanitarianism.

The meticulously planned, multi-day tribute followed a sequence of events designed to honor his unique life, blending the pomp of a state funeral in Washington D.C. with the deeply personal, humble roots of his hometown in Plains, Georgia. The public viewing, in particular, allowed thousands of citizens to witness the solemn tradition of a former commander-in-chief lying in state and repose, a final gesture of respect for a man known for his integrity and deep Christian faith.

The Life and Legacy of James Earl Carter Jr.: A Biographical Profile

James Earl Carter Jr. was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, a small farming town that would remain his lifelong home. His life trajectory, from a peanut farmer to the leader of the free world and a global humanitarian, is one of the most unique in American history.

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• Full Name: James Earl Carter Jr.
• Born: October 1, 1924, Plains, Georgia, U.S.
• Died: December 29, 2024, Plains, Georgia, U.S. (Age 100)
• Wife: Rosalynn Carter (married 1946; she predeceased him in 2024)
• Military Service: United States Navy (1946–1953), serving as a Naval Officer in the submarine force, including the nuclear submarine program under Admiral Hyman G. Rickover.
• Political Offices:
  • Georgia State Senator (1963–1967)
  • 76th Governor of Georgia (1971–1975)
  • 39th President of the United States (1977–1981)
• Major Presidential Achievements: Camp David Accords (peace treaty between Israel and Egypt), ratification of the Panama Canal Treaties, establishment of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Education.
• Post-Presidential Work: Co-founded The Carter Center in 1982, a non-governmental organization focused on human rights, democracy, and disease eradication (e.g., Guinea worm disease). He was also a prominent volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.
• Major Awards: Nobel Peace Prize (2002), for his decades of tireless effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, advance democracy and human rights, and promote economic and social development.
• Hospice Care: Entered home hospice care in February 2023 and lived for 22 months, surpassing expectations and continuing to inspire the world with his quiet dignity.

The National Tribute: Lying in State and Repose

The public viewing portion of the state funeral was divided into two distinct events, allowing citizens in both Washington D.C. and Georgia to participate in the farewell. This dual location emphasized Carter’s role as both a national leader and a beloved son of the South.

Lying in State at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda (January 6, 2025)

The official public tribute began in Washington D.C., where former President Carter lay in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, a high honor reserved for the nation's most distinguished citizens.

• Location: U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Washington D.C.
• Date: Monday, January 6, 2025.
• The Ceremony: The day began with a private ceremony for the Carter family and invited dignitaries, followed by the public viewing period.
• The Tradition: Lying in state is a solemn tradition that allows people to pay their respects to a late government official or military officer.
• Key Moment: Carter's casket, draped in the American flag, rested on the Lincoln Catafalque, a simple wooden platform built in 1865 for the coffin of Abraham Lincoln.

Despite a schedule shift due to inclement weather, thousands of Americans waited in line to walk past the casket, offering a final salute to the former president. The quiet reverence of the Rotunda provided a powerful contrast to the political turmoil that often characterized the nation's capital, reinforcing Carter's image as a unifying figure.

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Lying in Repose at The Carter Center (January 7, 2025)

Following the Capitol ceremony, the casket was transported to Atlanta, Georgia, where a second public viewing, known as lying in repose, was held at The Carter Center. This location was profoundly symbolic, as the Center represents the core of his post-presidency and his enduring commitment to global health and peace.

• Location: The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
• Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
• Atmosphere: Visitors reported short wait times, reflecting the organized and humble nature of the man being honored.
• Significance: The Carter Center, which he co-founded with his wife Rosalynn, is a tangible representation of his legacy, making the viewing here a deeply personal farewell for his fellow Georgians and the staff he worked with for decades.

The two public viewings—one in the seat of national power, the other in the heart of his humanitarian work—perfectly encapsulated the two major chapters of his life.

The Final Farewell: Memorial Services and Burial

The state funeral culminated in two major services, drawing together world leaders, political figures, and his local community in a final, powerful tribute. The events were notable for their bipartisan tone, a deliberate effort to honor Carter’s call for unity.

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The State Funeral at Washington National Cathedral (January 9, 2025)

The state funeral service was held at the Washington National Cathedral, a traditional venue for such high-profile national services.

• Location: Washington National Cathedral, Washington D.C.
• Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EST.
• Attendees: The service brought together current and former presidents, first ladies, members of Congress, and international dignitaries.
• Key Moments: The service included the playing of "Hail to the Chief," and eulogies were delivered, including remarks that Carter had requested be given by his former Vice President Walter Mondale and, remarkably, by his former political rival, Gerald Ford. The gathering was a rare moment of political unity in a rancorous election year.

Private Funeral and Burial in Plains, Georgia (January 9, 2025)

The final, most personal service took place in his beloved hometown of Plains, Georgia, where his life had begun and where he had chosen to be buried.

• Location: Maranatha Baptist Church, Plains, Georgia.
• Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025.
• The Service: A private funeral service was held at Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter had taught Sunday school for decades, a testament to his deep, enduring religious faith and commitment to his local community.
• Final Resting Place: Jimmy Carter was laid to rest in Plains, Georgia, next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, who had passed away just a month prior.

The entire sequence of events—from the Capitol Rotunda to the humble church in Plains—served as a fitting tribute to a man whose life was defined by the paradox of immense global power and profound personal humility. The public viewing provided a necessary and final opportunity for the American people to connect with the 39th President, not just as a head of state, but as a dedicated public servant whose legacy of peace, human rights, and service through organizations like Habitat for Humanity will continue to inspire generations.