Ethan Walker
Former US President Jimmy Carter died on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100. His funeral was held on January 9, 2025, at the Washington National Cathedral, and he was buried at his hometown of Plains, Georgia. While there is no explicit mention of a Catholic funeral, one reflection on the service mentions the profound difference between Catholic funerals and Protestant/civil religion/secular funerals, implying that Carter's funeral was not Catholic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | December 29, 2024 |
| Age at Death | 100 years, 89 days |
| Cause of Death | Various health issues, including melanoma that metastasized to his brain and liver |
| Religion | Christian |
| Type of Funeral | State funeral |
| Location of Funeral | Washington National Cathedral |
| Officiants | Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Sean Rowe; Bishop of Washington, Mariann Budde; Dean of the Cathedral, Randolph Hollerith |
| Eulogists | President Joe Biden, Vice President Harris, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson |
| Wreath Layers | Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries |
| Closing Benediction | Chaplain of the US House of Representatives, Margaret G. Kibben |
| Performances | US Naval Academy Glee Club |
| Burial Location | Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia |
| Notable Attendees | All of Carter's living successors, including President Joe Biden |
| Notable Absentees | None notable |
| Religious Focus | Not Catholic |
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What You'll Learn
Jimmy Carter's funeral was a Catholic liturgy
The death of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, was mourned by leaders worldwide. President Joe Biden declared a national day of mourning and federal holiday for 9 January 2025, the day of Carter's funeral service. The former president died on 29 December 2024 at the age of 100.
Carter's funeral was held at Washington National Cathedral and led by the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, Sean Rowe, the Bishop of Washington, Mariann Budde, and the dean of the cathedral, Randolph Hollerith. The funeral service featured pageantry, which the former president typically eschewed.
Carter's casket was then flown to Georgia, where he was buried in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, following a private funeral service at Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter taught Sunday school.
While there is no explicit mention of Carter's funeral being a Catholic liturgy, one source mentions that the funeral "testif[ied] to our institutions and honoure[ed] the deceased". This perspective aligns with the Catholic focus on God, rather than the deceased, as highlighted in another source that reflects on Carter's funeral from a Catholic viewpoint.
Carter was praised for his deep Christian faith, with the Pope expressing gratitude to the Carter family and staff for their good works and impact on the world.
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Eulogies are not appropriate at Catholic funerals
While eulogies are a common way to celebrate the life of a loved one and provide comfort to the bereaved, they are generally considered inappropriate during Catholic funeral Masses. This is because the Mass is a specific liturgical rite that must adhere closely to Catholic guidelines, which state that anything said during the Mass must relate explicitly to the teachings of the Catholic Church. A eulogy that focuses solely on the life and times of the deceased does not align with these guidelines.
Instead of a traditional eulogy, Catholic funerals typically feature a homily, which is an interpretation of the deceased's life in relation to the suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. This homily is delivered by a priest or deacon and is meant to provide spiritual comfort and uplift the congregation. While some parishes may allow family members or friends to offer brief words of remembrance at the end of the liturgy, the focus of a Catholic funeral remains on God and the promise of eternal life rather than on the deceased.
The Catholic Church recognises the importance of eulogies and provides alternatives for loved ones to speak during the funeral process. One option is to select specific Scripture passages that hold significance for the deceased, which can be read by friends or family members during the Mass. Another option is to deliver a eulogy during the funeral vigil or the luncheon that typically follows the funeral. These alternatives allow for a more personalised tribute while respecting the liturgical guidelines of the Catholic funeral Mass.
The absence of eulogies during Catholic funeral Masses can be a sensitive issue for grieving families, and it is essential to handle these situations with compassion and flexibility. While some dioceses, particularly in Ireland and Australia, have banned eulogies altogether, others leave the decision to the discretion of the pastor. In these cases, pastors must balance the liturgical principles with the family's wishes, finding a solution that honours the deceased while maintaining the sacred nature of the Mass.
In conclusion, while eulogies may not be appropriate during the Catholic funeral Mass, there are alternative avenues to celebrate the life of the deceased within the framework of Catholic rituals. The focus on God and eternal life in Catholic funerals aims to provide spiritual comfort and hope to the bereaved, even if it differs from the more personalised nature of eulogies typically seen in other funeral traditions.
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A funeral is about the future, not the past
While eulogies and celebrations of life are common during funerals, a funeral is not merely a history lesson or a testament to the deceased's life. Instead, it is about the future, specifically, what the living can do to contribute to the deceased's welfare in the afterlife. This perspective is evident in the Catholic funeral liturgy, where the focus is on God rather than the deceased.
In the case of Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100, his funeral observances focused on his character, decades of public service, achievements as president, and post-White House efforts to elevate human rights. The official state funeral was held in Washington, D.C., with a national day of mourning declared by President Joe Biden. The funeral was attended by dignitaries, including Biden himself, who delivered a eulogy, and former President Donald Trump, who issued a statement praising Carter's service.
Carter's remains were flown to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where they were given a 21-gun salute. The casket was then transferred to a horse-drawn caisson for a funeral procession to the United States Capitol, where he lay in state. The state funeral service was held at the Washington National Cathedral, officiated by the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, Sean Rowe, and other clergy.
After the funeral in Washington, D.C., the Carter family returned to Plains, Georgia, for a private burial service at Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter taught Sunday school. He was buried alongside his wife, Rosalynn, under a willow tree.
While the specifics of Carter's funeral rituals and their religious affiliations are not publicly known, the focus on his contributions and legacy aligns with the idea that funerals are about the future and the continued impact of the deceased's life on those left behind.
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The funeral was officiated by the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church
The funeral of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, was officiated by the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, Sean Rowe. The funeral was held at Washington National Cathedral and was attended by Carter's living successors, including President Joe Biden, who delivered a eulogy.
Carter died on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, making him the longest-lived U.S. president in history. An extensive funeral schedule was set forth, including a period of lying in state at the United States Capitol and a national day of mourning and federal holiday declared by President Biden for January 9, 2025, the day of Carter's funeral service.
The funeral service at Washington National Cathedral was followed by a private funeral at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, where Carter taught Sunday school. Carter was then buried alongside his wife, Rosalynn, beneath a willow tree.
The funeral observances for Carter focused on his character and decades of public service, his achievements as president, and his post-White House efforts to elevate human rights. Carter's casket was greeted with military honours and a 21-gun salute at various points during the funeral procession.
The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, Sean Rowe, led the funeral service at Washington National Cathedral, joined by the Bishop of Washington, Mariann Budde, and the dean of the cathedral, Randolph Hollerith.
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The funeral was held in Washington, D.C
The funeral of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, was held in Washington, D.C. The funeral service was held at the Washington National Cathedral, where Carter was celebrated for his humility and public service before, during, and after his presidency. The funeral featured the kind of pageantry that the former president typically eschewed.
Carter's casket travelled to the nation's capital following a ceremony at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta. Residents gathered for a public viewing at the start of the week. Carter lay in state at the U.S. Capitol, where the public had the opportunity to pay their respects until the morning of the funeral.
The official state funeral was held on Thursday, 9 January 2025. The funeral was attended by all of Carter's living successors, including President Joe Biden, who delivered a eulogy. The closing benediction was delivered by the Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, Margaret G. Kibben. The Naval Academy Glee Club also performed "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" and "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" (the Navy Hymn).
After the funeral in Washington, D.C., the Carter family returned to Plains, Georgia, for a private burial service at Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter taught Sunday school for years. Carter was buried alongside his wife, Rosalynn Smith Carter, beneath a willow tree.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Jimmy Carter's funeral was held at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, where he taught Sunday school.
Jimmy Carter's funeral service was a state funeral held in Washington, D.C. It was officiated by the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, Sean Rowe, along with the Bishop of Washington, Mariann Budde, and the dean of the cathedral, Randolph Hollerith.
Yes, there were eulogies given by President Joe Biden, Vice President Harris, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson.
The eulogies focused on Jimmy Carter's character, his decades of public service, his achievements as president, and his post-White House efforts to elevate human rights.
Although the funeral was not a Catholic one, the Pope praised Jimmy Carter's "deep Christian faith".
