Funeral for Jimmy Carter: What happens when a president dies?
WASHINGTON - Former president Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100 on Sunday. Carter served as the 39th President of the United States and was known for his enduring commitment to philanthropy and humanitarian work.
Carter served one term, from 1977 to 1981. He saw some monumental successes during his time in office, such as the brokering of the Camp David accord between Egypt and Israel but his term was also plagued by the energy crisis, inflation, high interest rates and the infamous Iran hostage crisis.
But even after losing his bid for re-election, Carter continued to serve the public, championing causes such as global health, democracy and human rights.
Carter received many honors throughout his life. At the 2000 Democratic Convention, delegates rose to their feet in his honor. And in 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
READ MORE: Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States, dies at 100
FOX 5 Archives: Jimmy Carter win Nobel Peace Prize in 2002
The late former president Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his decades of work seeking peaceful solutions to international conflicts, advancing democracy and human rights, and promoting economic and social development.
Here's how the former president will be honored following his passing.
Funeral for Jimmy Carter
Presidential funerals can take years to plan out and the details are usually kept secret between close family members and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington.
The arrangements are not announced until after a president dies.
President Joe Biden said he is ordering an official state funeral to be held in Washington, D.C. A Joint Task Force release obtained by The Washington Post states the funeral services for the former president are expected to begin at 10 a.m. (EST).
The president, former presidents and president-elect are all entitled to a state funeral, but then family decides if they actually get one, or just how involved it will be.
The family will provide details of the funeral plans to the Washington Military District, which is in charge of implementing them.
At this time, the Carter Center says public observances will be held in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. as well as a burial and funeral in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
Each president’s final resting place is among the details they include in their plans. Most have chosen locations in their home states; only two presidents are buried at Arlington National Cemetery: Kennedy and William Howard Taft.
What occurs in Washington, D.C. unfolds according to guidelines that date back to the mid-1800s and have been reshaped over time.
They often involve funeral processions down Pennsylvania Avenue, lying in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda and a memorial service, usually at the Washington National Cathedral.
READ MORE: 'A man of faith and a man of principles:' Historian reflects on friendship with Jimmy Carter
National Day of Mourning
Protocol dictates that flags will be flown at half-staff for a period of 30 days after the passing of a U.S. president.
The sitting president is also in charge of issuing an executive order issued authorizing the closure of federal offices and buildings for a national day of mourning.
Late Sunday, Biden issued a proclamation appointing Jan. 9, 2025, as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States. In the proclamation, Biden called on Americans to "assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President James Earl Carter, Jr."
In the proclamation, Biden also ordered the flag of the United States to be flown at half staff for 30 days following Carter's death.
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What happened to Jimmy Carter?
Remembering the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter
President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100 at his Georgia home on Sunday. The 39th president of the United States, Carter is remembered as a staunch advocate for human rights, with an enduring commitment to philanthropy and humanitarian work.
In 2015, Carter announced shattering news about his health. He candidly spoke about his battle with liver and brain cancer.
"Now I feel it’s in the hands of God, who I worship, and I’ll be prepared for anything that comes," he said.
Extensive treatment followed and he was declared cancer-free in December 2015.
In 2019, Carter suffered several falls, one requiring hip replacement surgery. Another led to a fractured pelvis. In November of that year, he had to undergo surgery to relieve bleeding on his brain related to the falls.
But Carter remained active well into his 90s, continuing to lead Sunday School classes at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains and to help build Habitat for Humanity houses for those in need.
He had been receiving at-home hospice care for nearly two years at the time of his death.
The Carter Center confirmed his death, saying he died peacefully at his home in Plains, surrounded by his family. He was the longest-lived president in U.S. history.
Additional details on the life and legacy of Jimmy Carter, as well as details on his services can be found on the Carter Center Tribute website.