All 5 living presidents present

On January 10, 2025By Littum

President Joe Biden has declared today, January 9, a national day of mourning after the death of former President Jimmy Carter.

Biden delivered a tribute at Carter’s service in Washington DC on Thursday, which was attended by all five living presidents. The state funeral was a rare joint appearance by the former commander-in-chief, just days before Trump will be inaugurated for a second term in Washington.

Who else was present and who spoke at the funeral? Here is a summary.

Where is Jimmy Carter buried? See funeral plan

Public memorials for Jimmy Carter will take place in Georgia and at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, according to the White House and the Carter Center.

In a statement, Biden said he would order an official state funeral for Carter, the 39th president. His body will lie in state at the Capitol, like other presidents.

Ceremonies for Carter on Jan. 9 are scheduled for the following times Eastern Time, as reported by Savannah Morning News:

9 a.m. ET, US Capitol: A ceremony will be held where the motorcade will depart for the Washington National Cathedral.
9:30 a.m., Washington National Cathedral: An arrival ceremony will follow the cortege’s arrival.
10 a.m., Washington National Cathedral: The national funeral will take place.
11:15, Washington National Cathedral: Carter’s family will leave the ceremony and travel to Joint Base Andrews via motorcade. They will depart for Georgia on Special Air Mission 39.
2 p.m., Lawson Army Airfield: The Carter family arrives at the military airfield in Fort Moore, Georgia. They will travel with another motorcade to the Plains.
3.45pm, Maranatha Baptist Church: A private funeral service will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains.
4:45 p.m.: The Carter family leaves by motorcade and travels to Carter’s private residence.
5.20 p.m., Carter Residence: A private internment will take place, where Carter will be buried next to his wife. Rosalynn died in 2023 at the age of 96.

Why wasn’t Michelle Obama at Jimmy Carter’s funeral?

As former presidents and their wives gathered in the pews of the National Cathedral for Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, former first lady Michelle Obama was notably missing from the congregation.

According to CNN’s coverage of Carter’s funeral, Michelle Obama had “scheduling conflicts” Thursday and is “still in Hawaii.”

Her husband, former President Barack Obama, was in attendance alongside President-elect Donald Trump. The Obamas had campaigned heavily for Trump’s 2024 opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, who was also in attendance.

Barack Obama and Trump could be seen talking for several minutes before the start of the funeral, with Obama at one point smiling and laughing.

Who spoke at Jimmy Carter’s funeral?

President Joe Biden opened his tribute with a reflection on his 2021 visit to Plains, Ga., the last time he saw Carter before his death.

Biden and wife, Jill, visited Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, at their ranch home, where the elderly couple “greeted us like family,” Biden said.

“Jimmy Carter’s friendship taught me … strength of character,” Biden added. “It is the strength to understand that everyone should be treated with dignity, respect.”

Jimmy Carter’s grandson Jason and Joshua Carter paid tribute to the family. Steve Ford, son of former President Gerald Ford, read a eulogy written by his late father. Similarly, the son of Carter’s Vice President Walter Mondale, Ted Mondale, held a tribute to his late father.

Stu Eizenstat, a former White House adviser and friend of the 39th president, talked about Carter’s presidential achievements and paid a personal tribute.

Who attended Jimmy Carter’s funeral? See list

All five living presidents, past and present, attended Jimmy Carter’s funeral. Here are some of the notable people who were there:

President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden
President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump
Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff
Former President Barack Obama
Former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton
Former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush
Steve Ford, son of former President Gerald Ford
Ted Mondale, son of Carter’s Vice President Walter Mondale
Andrew Young, former US ambassador to the UN
Duke of Edinburgh Prince Edward, brother of King Charles III
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Stu Eizenstat, former White House adviser and friend of Carter
Jason and Joshua Carter, Carter’s grandsons

— USA TODAY contributed to this report.