State funeral services start for former President Jimmy Carter

Events honoring the late President Jimmy Carter began Saturday with a motorcade traveling through his hometown to Atlanta. The 39th president of the United States passed away on Dec. 29 in his hometown of Plains, Ga. He was  100 years old. Members of the public have numerous opportunities to pay their respects to the 39th president throughout the week before his Thursday funeral. 

Tuesday, Jan. 7 - Wednesday, Jan. 8 (Washington): Carter’s body will leave Atlanta around 9:30 a.m. EST and be flown to Washington, D.C. Upon arrival, the late president’s family will accompany his body in a motorcade to the U.S. Navy Memorial around 1 p.m., where the remains will be transferred to a horse-drawn caisson for a procession through the city to the U.S. Capitol. U.S. servicemen will carry Carter’s body into the Rotunda where members of Congress will pay respects during a 3 p.m. EST service. The president’s body will then lie in state with a military guard of honor until Thursday, allowing members of the public to continue paying their respects.

Thursday, Jan. 9 (Washington): Carter’s remains will travel to the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where the national funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. EST. After the televised service, Carter’s family will fly back to Georgia with the body of the late president for a private 3:45 p.m. EST service at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains. The Carter family will then travel from the church back to the Carter family home for a private interment around 5:30 p.m. EST. The public is invited to line the motorcade route back to the family home. Before the final interment, the U.S. Navy will conduct a flyover to honor Carter’s service in the military and as commander-in-chief.