WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Jimmy Carter is making his final journey to his hometown of Plains, Georgia where his family will participate in a final service. He will then be buried next to his beloved wife, Rosalynn Carter.
The National Funeral Service for former President Carter has ended in Washington, D.C.
The ceremonies celebrating Carter in D.C. will include a departure ceremony at the Capitol, the National Funeral Service at Washington National Cathedral and a final departure from Joint Base Andrews.
The service included remarks written by former President Gerald Ford, who was Carter’s predecessor, and former Vice President Walter Mondale, who served alongside Carter. Both men have previously passed away.
All five living former and current presidents were in attendance.
Watch LIVE coverage of the nation’s final goodbye to former President Jimmy Carter throughout the day on Channel 2.
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6:16 p.m. - Pastor Tony Lowden offers the benediction
Pastor Tony Lowden is offering a benediction to conclude former President Jimmy Carter’s final funeral service.
6:13 p.m. - The U.S. Navy Sea Chanters perform
The U.S. Navy Sea Chanters are performing “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”
6:11 p.m. - Audience recites The Lord’s Prayer
After concluding “Blest Be the Tie,” the audience recited The Lord’s Prayer.
6:09 p.m. - Audience joins together to sing “Blest Be the Tie”
The audience is joining together to sing “Blest Be the Tie,” led by Maranatha Baptist Church Organist Carol Anderson.
5:44 p.m. - Pastor Tony Bowden, the Carters’ personal pastor, delivers remarks
Pastor Tony Bowden, who served as the Carters’ personal pastor and the former pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church, offers remarks during the final funeral service.
5:40 p.m. - “Let There Be Peace on Earth” performed
Singer Joanna Maddox, who knew the Carters, performs “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
5:39 p.m. - Grandson Hugo Wentzel reads from the Book of Micah
Hugo Wentzel, one of former President Carter’s grandsons, reads a passage from Micah 6:8.
5:35 p.m. - The U.S. Navy Sea Chanters perform
The U.S. Navy Sea Chanters are performing “America the Beautiful.”
5:31 p.m. - Pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church offers remarks, prays to begin final funeral service
Ashley Guthas, Pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church, opens President Carter’s final funeral service in Plains with a prayer.
5:24 p.m. - Funeral service begins inside Maranatha Baptist Church
The final funeral service for former President Carter is beginning inside Maranatha Baptist Church, where the former president taught Sunday School.
5:20 p.m. - President Carter’s casket carried into Maranatha Baptist Church
Former President Carter’s casket has been removed from the hearse and is being carried into Maranatha Baptist Church.
The 282nd Army Band from Fort Jackson, South Carolina plays “How Firm a Foundation” as the casket is carried toward the church.
5:13 p.m. - Flyover at Maranatha Baptist Church
The U.S. Navy conducted a missing man formation flyover at Maranatha Baptist Church to recognize former President Carter’s naval service and time as commander-in-chief.
The flyover was initially scheduled to take place before former President Carter was interred next to his wife, Rosalynn Carter. Because of delays throughout the day, the flyover had to take place prior to the final funeral service.
The Carter family will now process into Maranatha Baptist Church for a funeral service.
5:05 p.m. - Motorcade arrives at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia
The motorcade carrying former President Carter’s casket and his family is arriving at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia.
The Carters attended Maranatha Baptist Church and the former president taught Sunday School there as long as his health would allow.
The family will participate in a final funeral service at the church.
3:54 p.m. - Motorcade departs Lawson Army Airfield for Plains, Georgia
The motorcade is departing Lawson Army Airfield for Plains, Georgia.
Former President Carter’s casket and his family will travel to Maranatha Baptist Church, where the Carters attended, for a final funeral service.
3:38 p.m. - Departure ceremony being held at Lawson Army Airfield
Ceremonial troops are presenting arms and honors at Lawson Army Airfield on Fort Moore, Georgia.
The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band is performing “Fairest Lord Jesus” as former President Carter’s casket is carried from Special Air Mission 39 to the hearse.
3:25 p.m. - Former President Carter’s casket removed from Special Air Mission 39
Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket has been taken off of Special Air Mission 39 for a departure ceremony.
3:18 p.m. - Special Air Mission 39 arrives at Lawson Army Airfield on Fort Moore, Georgia
Special Air Mission 39 carrying former President Carter’s casket and family has arrived at Lawson Army Airfield on Fort Moore, Georgia.
A motorcade will carry them to Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia.
1:43 p.m. - Special Air Mission 39 departs Joint Base Andrews
Special Air Mission 39 has departed Joint Base Andrews for Lawson Army Airfield on Fort Benning, Georgia.
1:23 p.m. - The Carter family boards Special Air Mission 39
The Carter family is boarding Special Air Mission 39 to travel to Lawson Army Airfield on Fort Benning, Georgia before continuing to Plains for a service and burial.
1:16 p.m. - Former President Carter’s casket being loaded on Special Air Mission 39
Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket is being loaded on Special Air Mission 39 at Joint Base Andrews to make his final journey to Plains.
Ceremonial troops are rendering honors, including four Ruffles and Flourishes, playing “Hail to the Chief” and a 21-gun salute.
The U.S. Air Force Band is playing “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee” as the casket is loaded onto the plane.
1:11 p.m. - Motorcade arrives at Joint Base Andrews
The motorcade has arrived at Joint Base Andrews.
Former President Carter and his family will fly to Lawson Army Airfield in Fort Moore, Georgia before traveling to Plains.
12:34 p.m. - Motorcade departs Washington National Cathedral for Joint Base Andrews
Former President Jimmy Carter’s motorcade has departed the Washington National Cathedral for Joint Base Andrews.
He and his family will travel from Joint Base Andrews to Lawson Army Airfield in Fort Moore, Georgia before traveling to Plains.
12:25 p.m. - Former President Carter’s casket placed into hearse
Former President Carter’s casket has been placed back into the hearse as he prepares to head to Joint Base Andrews where he will begin his journey back to his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
12:23 p.m. - Former President Carter’s casket has exited the Washington National Cathedral
Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket is being carried out of the Washington National Cathedral.
The U.S. Coast Guard Band plays “Faith of Our Fathers” as the casket is carried.
12:14 p.m. - President and Dr. Biden exit Washington National Cathedral for departure ceremony.
President Joe Biden, first lady Dr. Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff have exited the Washington National Cathedral for the departure ceremony before former President Carter leaves for Joint Base Andrews.
12:06 p.m. - Former President Carter’s casket and family processing out of the Washington National Cathedral
Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket and family are processing out of the Washington National Cathedral, signaling the end of the National Funeral Service.
The audience sings “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” as the casket is carried out of the cathedral.
A departure ceremony will be held outside of the cathedral before the motorcade departs for Joint Base Andrews.
12:04 p.m. - Bishop of Washington delivers a blessing
Rev. Budde and other religious leaders, including the Carters’ personal pastor, gather around his casket to deliver a blessing.
12:02 p.m. - Former Dean of Washington National Cathedral delivers commendation
Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the former Dean of the Washington National Cathedral and current Bishop of Washington, delivers a commendation.
12:00 p.m. - Tony Lowden, the Carters’ personal pastor, leads the audience in a prayer
Pastor Tony Lowden, the Carters’ personal pastor is leading the audience in a prayer.
11:59 a.m. - The Lord’s Prayer recited
The audience has recited The Lord’s Prayer.
11:55 a.m. - Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood perform “Imagine”
Country music singers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are performing The Beatles’ “Imagine.”
The couple performed the same song at former first lady Rosalynn Carter’s funeral in 2023.
11:47 a.m. - Former Ambassador Andrew Young reads from the Book of Ephesians, delivers remarks
Former Atlanta mayor and former Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young reads a passage from Ephesians 4:32 and offers remarks about former President Jimmy Carter’s contributions to civil rights.
11:43 a.m. - James Earl Carter IV, former President Carter’s grandson, reads from the Book of Matthew
Former President Jimmy Carter’s grandson James Earl Carter IV reads a passage from Matthew 5:1-16.
11:31 a.m. - President Joe Biden delivers eulogy
President Joe Biden is delivering a eulogy for former President Jimmy Carter.
11:26 a.m. - “Amazing Grace” performed
Delta flight attendant Phyllis Adams with Song Rise to Thee perform “Amazing Grace.”
11:14 a.m. - Jason Carter eulogizes his grandfather, former President Jimmy Carter
Former President Jimmy Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, is delivering remarks.
He comments that his grandparents spent four years in the Georgia Governor’s Mansion and four more in the White House, but spent the other 92 years of his life in Plains. Jason Carter says that, though he may have been President of the United States, he was just a normal grandfather.
11:00 a.m. - Former White House Domestic Affairs Advisor Stuart Eizenstat delivers remarks
Stuart Eizenstat worked on former President Carter’s 1970 Georgia gubernatorial campaign and the 1976 presidential campaign.
During Carter’s administration, Eizenstat served as White House Domestic Affairs Advisor.
He later served as Ambassador to the European Union under former President Bill Clinton.
10:56 a.m. - U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra and Armed Forces Choir performs
The U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra and Armed Forces Choir performs “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”
10:47 a.m. - Ted Mondale, the son of former Vice President Walter Mondale, delivers remarks by his father
In 2015, former Vice President Walter Mondale wrote remarks to be delivered at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral. His son, Ted Mondale, is delivering those remarks.
Mondale served alongside former President Jimmy Carter in the White House.
Former Vice President Mondale passed away in 2021.
10:30 a.m. - Steve Ford, the son of former President Gerald Ford, delivers remarks written by his father
Before his passing, former President Gerald Ford wrote remarks to be delivered at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral. His son, Steve Ford, is delivering those remarks.
Former President Carter defeated former President Ford in the 1976 presidential election. The two men became dear friends following their times in the White House.
Carter delivered a eulogy at Ford’s funeral in 2006.
10:23 a.m. - Joshua Carter reads passages from the Book of Romans
Former President Carter’s grandson Joshua Carter delivers remarks and reads a passage from Romans 8:1-18, 38-39.
10:21 a.m. - Dean of the Washington National Cathedral delivers invocation
Dean of the Washington National Cathedral Randy Hollerith is delivering an invocation after former President Carter’s casket placed on the catafalque.
10:18 a.m. - Former Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young delivers anthem in procession
Former Atlanta mayor and former Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young delivers anthem in procession as former President Carter’s casket processes into the Washington National Cathedral.
10:14 a.m. - Special Honor Guard carries former President Carter’s casket into the Washington National Cathedral.
Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket is being carried into the Washington National Cathedral by the Special Honor Guard.
10:10 a.m. - Cathedral Choir sings as former President Carter’s casket processes in
The Cathedral Choir is singing “The Road Home” as former President Carter prepares to process into the Washington National Cathedral.
10:07 a.m. - Bishop of Washington offers prayers at the West Portal
Before the casket proceeds into the Washington National Cathedral, the Bishop of Washington offers prayers over the casket.
Former President Carter’s casket then proceeds into the Washington National Cathedral.
10:05 a.m. - Former President Carter’s casket being carried into Washington National Cathedral
Former President Carter’s casket is being carried into the Washington National Cathedral by the Special Honor Guard.
The U.S. Coast Guard Band is playing “Come Thou Almighty King.”
10:03 a.m. - Former President Carter’s casket being removed from hearse
Former President Carter’s casket is being removed from the hearse and prepared to be carried into the Washington National Cathedral as “Hail to the Chief” is played.
10:00 a.m. - President of the United States Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden have arrived
President of the United States Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden have arrived at the Washington National Cathedral.
9:57 a.m. - Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff have arrived
Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff have arrived at the Washington National Cathedral.
9:55 a.m. - President-elect Donald Trump and former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have arrived
President-elect Donald Trump, former first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton have arrived at the Washington National Cathedral. It appears that former first lady Michelle Obama will not be in attendance.
9:38 a.m. - Motorcade arrives at Washington National Cathedral
The motorcade has arrived at the Washington National Cathedral.
9:20 a.m. - Motorcade departs U.S. Capitol
The motorcade is en route to the Washington National Cathedral
9:15 a.m. - Departure ceremony at U.S. Capitol
Ceremonial troops present arms and render honors with four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief, and a 21-gun salute.
9 a.m. - Carter family arrives at U.S. Capitol
The Carter family motorcade arrives and positions on the Capitol Plaza. Meanwhile, the special honor guard, honorary pallbearers and their spouses are escorted into position at the base of the U.S. Capitol steps
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