Before Carter reaches this modest destination, there will be a carefully organized series of events that encapsulate the sadness, ceremony, and logistics typically seen in state funerals. Since the establishment of the nation, the United States has bid farewell to its former presidents through an elaborate blend of long-standing traditions interwoven with personal choices.
Often, presidents plan their own funerals while they are still alive, using the time after their presidency to consider how they wish to be honored. “They actively participate in the planning stages, and their choices reveal much about their identities, their perception of the presidency, and their desires on how they wish to be remembered by the American populace,” noted a senior historian affiliated with the White House Historical Association, who co-authored a book focused on presidential mourning and legacy.
Carter had the opportunity to plan more extensively than most, enjoying 43 years of life after leaving office, the longest for any former president, before passing away at the age of 100 on Sunday.
While many details of his funeral remain undisclosed, his family and the military units in charge of the arrangements have ultimate discretion. It’s customary for former presidents to lie in state within the U.S. Capitol, accompanied by a memorial service at Washington National Cathedral.
President Biden inadvertently revealed last year that Carter wished for him to deliver a eulogy. Biden remarked on Sunday that his team is currently collaborating with the Carter family and other entities to ensure that he is honored fittingly, both domestically and internationally. His son Chip is the key contact for this effort, although Biden has also conversed with all the Carter children.
Biden outlined a process that will take some time, culminating in a significant memorial event planned for Jan. 9 in Washington, D.C.
In some cases, former presidents directly assist with even minor aspects of the arrangements. One historian recalled a conversation with George H.W. Bush shortly after he altered the seating chart for his own funeral. When asked if that felt unusual, Bush quipped that it became commonplace due to the frequency of adjustments made over time.
President Dwight Eisenhower, known for his leadership during World War II, insisted on being buried in a government-issued casket, which he wanted to be simple and indistinguishable from any ordinary soldier’s casket, save for a glass seal added for distinction.
Elements of presidential processions often reflect the life experiences of the deceased president. For instance, Ronald Reagan’s casket was carried up the west steps of the U.S. Capitol, facing his beloved California. Similarly, Gerald Ford’s casket was transported through the House side of the building, honoring his time spent as a congressman.
The Joint Task Force-National Capital Region is responsible for executing presidential funerals, comprising 4,000 military and civilian personnel who expressed their honor in providing this service on behalf of the nation.
Funerals for former presidents leave a lasting impact on the collective memory of America. A famed eulogy describing George Washington as “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen” has become emblematic of presidential remembrances.
The funeral for John F. Kennedy, following his assassination, included a poignant moment when his son saluted the casket. The procession was particularly notable, as it utilized the same caisson that had carried Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by a riderless horse.
Furthermore, Kennedy’s funeral was the first to receive widespread television coverage. “The advent of technology has democratized and made the mourning process more accessible, allowing greater numbers of people to pause and reflect on the contributions of the individual,” the historian mentioned.
In contrast to many democratic nations, where the head of state and head of government are separate figures, the United States merges these roles within the presidency, attributing immense symbolic significance to presidential funerals.
“Since our nation has no singular national figure apart from the president, we have placed the weight and emotional significance typically reserved for sovereigns on our presidents,” he elaborated. “With so few of them, the death of a president becomes an extraordinary event.”
Such funerals also serve as a reminder of shared experiences and collective identity, emphasizing that the deceased served as president for everyone, regardless of political affiliation. However, the current political climate has made state funerals susceptible to awkward moments. For example, at George H.W. Bush’s funeral, interactions were minimal and politically infused, even among prominent figures. “These events inherently carry a political dimension,” the historian noted. “Whatever transpires during Carter’s ceremony is bound to be viewed through a political lens.”
