US to hold national day of mourning on 9 January

Former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral will be held on January 9 at the Washington National Cathedral, part of a day of mourning for the longest-serving US president.

Walter Mondale, who was Carter’s vice president, had intended to pay tribute to his former boss, but he died in 2021. Mondale’s son is planning to read the eulogy at the funeral, according to the New York Times.

Details are emerging of how the country will pay tribute to the world-renowned humanitarian, who died Sunday, aged 100, at his home in Plains, Georgia.

There will also be a public ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia, before Carter is laid to rest on the Plains, according to the Carter Center.

Following a US tradition that marks the death of important people and leaders, President Joe Biden has ordered US flags at federal buildings to be flown at half-staff for 30 days. This period will include the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.

Carter’s family said they “respectfully and gratefully” accepted the request of the US Congress for Carter to lie in state around the US Capitol building. Traditionally, this is a public viewing where people jump to pay their respects, including lawmakers and celebrities and everyday Americans.

Carter, a Democrat, will be buried at his family home, next to his wife, Rosalynn, who died at age 96 in November 2023.

Biden requested that January 9 be used to honor the 39th President of the United States, James Earl Carter Jr.

“He was America’s best: a humble servant of God and people,” he said in a statement.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that although he and Carter did not agree intellectually, Carter was “a very nice person” and had “a lot of respect”.

Other US leaders have also released statements praising Carter’s life and work, including former presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush.

Former President Barack Obama said Carter “taught us all what it means to live a life of grace, honor, justice and service”.

All four former presidents are expected to go to Carter. At the 2018 funeral of George HW Bush – the last former president to die – more than 1,000 people attended the ceremony, including US politicians and international dignitaries such as Prince Charles and former UK Prime Minister John Major.

Stock markets will be closed on January 9, as part of a day of mourning.

Carter, a former Georgia peanut farmer turned naval commander, became US President, serving from 1977-1981.

During his time in the White House, he promoted global peace, environmental and human rights causes, and later received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

One of his most notable achievements in office was establishing a peace agreement in the Middle East between Egypt and Israel.

However, Carter’s performance as president was marred by the deteriorating US economy and what he called a “crisis of confidence”.

He served only one term in the White House and lost to Ronald Reagan in 1980.

Much of Carter’s legacy was built from his post-presidential life.

He continued to work for international peace and met with world leaders; founded the Carter Center, a non-profit founded to help end the disease; and, well into her 90s, worked with Habitat for Humanity to help build and repair homes.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of President Carter, and our prayers are with the Carter family,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International.