JIMMY Carter’s death marks the first time in over six years that the United States is mourning the loss of a former president.
Carter, the 39th president of the US, was 100 years old when he died at his estate in Plains, Georgia, on December 29, 2024.
At the direction of President Joe Biden, a state funeral will be held in memory of Carter, and a national day of mourning is set for January 9.
The last state funeral to take place in the US for a former commander-in-chief was in 2018 after George H.W. Bush, the 41st president, died on November 30, 2018.
What happens when a former US president dies?
There are a number of steps that follow the death of a former United States president.
Federal law requires all government buildings, public schools, offices, and military bases to lower their flags to half-mast for 30 days.
Under an executive order by the incumbent US President, all federal buildings, agencies, and departments are authorized to close for a public day of mourning.
Federal employees are given the day off out of respect for the former president. But the employee would still be paid.
However, people employed in the areas of national security, defense, and “other essential public business” are not excused from the executive order.
Any Senate and House votes are either postponed or canceled to accommodate the funeral.
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A seven- to 10-day ceremony state funeral honoring the former president is held.
The ceremony consists of three stages, including ceremonies in the former president’s home state, ceremonies in Washington DC, and ceremonies in the state where the former president would like to be interred.
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When does the funeral take place?
A president will plan their funeral during their first days in office, and their family will largely coordinate the day when it comes.
Many of the funeral’s details are kept under wraps.
If a president were to die while in office, the casket may lie in repose for several days in the White House before the funeral takes place.
Former presidents may also do this in their home states before their caskets are taken to Washington DC, where they may lie in repose in the United States Capitol Rotunda.
Before the casket of a president heads to its final resting place, it is likely to travel down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC one last time.
Will there be a national day of mourning?
The sitting US President declares a National Day of Mourning for former presidents, usually on the day of their funerals.
It began with John F. Kennedy in 1963.
These days are also considered federal holidays.
Biden wrote after Carter’s death, “All executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed on January 9, 2025, as a mark of respect for James Earl Carter, Jr., the 39th President of the United States.
“The heads of executive departments and agencies may determine that certain offices and installations of their organizations, or parts thereof, must remain open and that certain employees must report for duty on January 9, 2025, for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need.
“January 9, 2025, shall be considered as falling within the scope of Executive Order 11582 of February 11, 1971, and of 5 U.S.C. 5546 and 6103(b) and other similar statutes insofar as they relate to the pay and leave of employees of the United States.”
How will the president’s death be announced?
The current practice requires issuing two separate orders.
First is a Proclamation announcing the death.
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Second is an order providing for the closing of Executive departments and agencies on the date of the funeral.
Flags will fly at half-mast on all official buildings.
