Jimmy Carter’s Death: How US Presidents Have Planned Their Own Funerals

Following the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, funeral plans are now underway as he is expected to be laid to rest in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Why It Matters Jimmy Carter’s final chapter will close in Plains, the small town where he grew up on a peanut farm. His wife, Rosalynn, was laid to rest there last year in a burial plot they chose decades ago. Yet, before Carter’s journey culminates in this resting place, the nation will witness a carefully orchestrated display of mourning, unique to America’s presidents as funerals are often planned by the presidents themselves, who usually have years after leaving the White House to ponder how they want to be memorialized. What To Know Carter, who passed away Sunday at the age of 100, had the longest post-presidency in American history—43 years—to shape his farewell. While specific details of his memorial remain undisclosed, President Joe Biden confirmed he would deliver the eulogy, following a personal request from Carter. Over time, U.S. presidents have taken an active role in crafting their final tributes, shaping their legacies even in death. These farewells often reflect the personal philosophies of the presidents themselves. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter smiles during a meeting with Sudanese officials at the national elections commission in Khartoum, Sudan, April 9, 2010. Following the death of Carter, funeral plans are now underway as he… Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter smiles during a meeting with Sudanese officials at the national elections commission in Khartoum, Sudan, April 9, 2010. Following the death of Carter, funeral plans are now underway as he is expected to be laid to rest in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Amr Nabil/AP What Other Presidents Have Planned For other presidents, even the smallest details have carried profound significance. George H.W. Bush frequently reviewed the seating chart for his service. Dwight D. Eisenhower, revered for his World War II leadership, requested burial in a modest government-issued casket—symbolic of his roots and solidarity with soldiers. Presidential funerals often incorporate elements that echo the deceased leader’s life and values. Ronald Reagan’s casket ascended the U.S. Capitol’s west steps, a poignant nod to his Californian origins. Gerald Ford, a former congressman, was honored with a procession through the House of Representatives. These moments, choreographed with precision, are entrusted to the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, a group comprising thousands of military and civilian personnel. State funerals also hold a profound place in the national memory. Abraham Lincoln’s funeral procession, replete with a riderless horse, set the template for modern presidential farewells. Meanwhile, John F. Kennedy’s televised funeral in 1963 captivated the nation with an iconic image of his young son saluting the casket. What People Are Saying Matthew Costello, senior historian at the White House Historical Association said to The Associated Press (AP): “They are very much involved in the planning process, and the decisions that they make tell us a lot about who they are, how they see the presidency, and how they want to be remembered by the American people.” Jeffrey Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, told the AP: “Since we have no national figure other than the president, we’ve essentially taken all the traditional weight and civic emotion that is put on to the death or the birth or a wedding for a sovereign or a king and placed it on the heads of the presidents. And there aren’t that many of them, to be honest. So whenever one of them passes, it’s unusual and a big deal.” Biden said Sunday his team is working with Carter’s family and others “to see to it that he is remembered appropriately, here in the United States and around the world.” What Happens Next Biden scheduled a state funeral in Washington, D.C., for Carter on January 9. Biden also declared January 9 as a National Day of Mourning across the nation and ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days from Sunday. Details of the state funeral, which is a formal ceremony with traditions of lying in state, processions, religious services, military honors and national mourning, will be released by the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.