Jimmy Carter funeral updates: Harris delivers eulogy at Capitol ceremony

Carter will lie in state at the Capitol from Tuesday to Thursday.

ByEmily Shapiro
Last Updated: January 7, 2025, 5:46 PM EST

Members of Congress, the Supreme Court and other dignitaries gathered at the U.S. Capitol for a lying-in-state ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter.

Vice President Kamala Harris delivered one of the eulogies for Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 07, 2025, 11:11 AM EST

Carter leaves Carter Presidential Center for final time

Former President Jimmy Carter had a final, solemn departure from the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta Tuesday morning as his family and Carter Center employees looked on.

The casket of former President Jimmy Carter is placed into the hearse by a joint services body bearer team from the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, Jan. 7, 2025.
Alex Brandon/via Reuters

The casket of former President Jimmy Carter is carried by a joint services body bearer team from the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, Jan. 7, 2025.
Alex Brandon/AP

The casket of former President Jimmy Carter is carried by a joint services body bearer team from the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, Jan. 7, 2025.
Alex Brandon/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

People watch as the motorcade carrying the casket of former President Jimmy Carter travels from the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, Jan. 7, 2025.
Alex Brandon/AP

The former president had been lying in repose at the center since Saturday, allowing the public to come pay their respects.

At a Saturday service at the Carter Presidential Center, Carter's son Chip Carter thanked his parents for their service and sacrifice.

"The two of them together changed the world," he said, overcome with emotion.

James "Chip" Carter speaks during a service for former President Jimmy Carter at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, Jan. 4, 2025.
Alex Brandon/Pool via AP

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter founded the Carter Center after his presidency to improve health around the world and enhance freedom and democracy.

Jan 07, 2025, 8:52 AM EST

Carter to head to DC for services at Capitol, Washington National Cathedral

Former President Jimmy Carter's remains will be escorted from the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday for the 39th president's final trip to the nation's capital.

A U.S. flag flutters at half-staff on U.S Capitol, as a winter storm that brought snow, ice and freezing temperatures to a broad swath of the U.S. arrived in Washington, Jan. 6, 2025.
Marko Djurica/Reuters

His remains will leave the Carter Center at 11:30 a.m. ET.

The first stop in D.C. will be the U.S. Navy Memorial in honor of the former president's service.

At 4:30 p.m. ET, members of Congress, the Supreme Court, the Cabinet, the Joint Chiefs and other officials will congregate at the U.S. Capitol for a lying in state ceremony. Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson are expected to deliver eulogies and lay wreaths.

A person holds a photograph of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter after viewing his casket as he lies in repose at the Carter Presidential Center on Jan. 05, 2025 in Atlanta.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Carter's remains will lie in state at the Capitol from Tuesday evening to Thursday morning, allowing the public to pay respects.

On Thursday morning, former presidents and other dignitaries will attend a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral. President Joe Biden will deliver a eulogy.

On Thursday afternoon, Carter’s body will return to his hometown of Plains, Georgia, for a private service and private interment. Carter will be buried next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, who died on Nov. 19, 2023, at the age of 96.

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