Jimmy Carter honored in DC: How to attend memorial events

Jimmy Carter funeral: DC prepares to honor late president

Nearly 44 years after leaving the nation’s capital in defeat, the 39th president, Jimmy Carter, returns to Washington for a three-day state funeral beginning Tuesday.

WASHINGTON - Nearly 44 years after leaving the nation’s capital in defeat, the 39th president, Jimmy Carter, returns to Washington for a three-day state funeral beginning Tuesday.

Carter’s remains, which have been in repose at the Carter Presidential Center since Saturday, will leave the Atlanta campus Tuesday, accompanied by his family. Special Air Mission 39 will depart from Dobbins Air Reserve Base and land at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, followed by a motorcade to the Capitol, where members of Congress will honor him during an afternoon service.

Here is how the public can pay their respects.

Carter, who passed away on Dec. 29 at the age of 100, will lie in state Tuesday night and Wednesday. He will receive a state funeral Thursday at Washington National Cathedral, with President Joe Biden delivering a eulogy.

The usual presidential death rituals will be observed, including the Air Force transport to the Beltway, a military honor guard carrying the flag-draped casket up the Capitol steps, and the display on the Lincoln catafalque in the Rotunda. Unique to Carter, his hearse will stop at the U.S. Navy Memorial, where his remains will be transferred to a horse-drawn caisson for the remainder of the journey to the Capitol. This gesture honors Carter as the only U.S. Naval Academy graduate to become commander in chief.

Schedule, prohibited items & tour bus information

Update: The service at the U.S. Capitol, and the public viewing time, have been shifted back 90 minutes due to the weather.

Public viewing now starts at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7.

Jimmy Carter public viewing hours

The late President Jimmy Carter will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda from 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, through 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, January, 9. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects during public viewing hours.

TUESDAY

At 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, January 7, there will be a private arrival ceremony with President Carter’s family, Members of Congress, and other dignitaries.

At 7:30 p.m., the line to the Capitol Visitor Center will open to the public at Second Street and East Capitol Street.

At 8:30 p.m., the U.S. Capitol Rotunda will open to the public until midnight.

NOTE:

Flowers, sealed envelopes, or other offerings will NOT be allowed into the U.S. Capitol or Capitol Visitor Center
Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off while in the U.S. Capitol
Photography and electronic recording will not be allowed while visitors are in the Rotunda
Please carefully review the prohibited items list below
There is no public parking on Capitol Grounds, so the use of public transportation is encouraged. Please visit https://www.wmata.com to plan your trip to the U.S. Capitol. The closest metro stops are Capitol South, Federal Center SW, and Union Station.

WEDNESDAY

At 7:00 a.m., on Wednesday, January 8, the U.S. Capitol Rotunda will open for public viewing and will remain open throughout the night.

THURSDAY

At 7:00 a.m., on Thursday, January 9, the U.S. Capitol Rotunda will close to the public for public viewing. At 9:00 a.m., there will be a departure ceremony on the East Plaza, which will be restricted to authorized personnel and closed to the public.

FRIDAY

At 8:30 a.m., on Friday, January 10, the Capitol and Capitol Visitor Center will reopen to the public.

Jimmy Carter public viewing prohibited items

Please bring as few items as possible to expedite security screening and keep the visitor line moving.

In addition to any other items at the discretion of security screeners, the following items are prohibited:

Bags exceeding the size of 18" wide x 14" high x 8.5" deep.
Firearms to include replica guns and ammunition.
Weapons (to include but not limited to): Black jack, sling shot, sand club, sandbag, knuckles, electric stun guns, knives of any size including razors and box cutters, martial arts weapons or devices. Staff may possess knives with blades 3" or less.
Pointed objects to include but not limited to knitting needles, letter openers, and other pointed objects deemed a possible threat. Pens and pencils are permitted. This restriction does not apply to staff.
Explosives and explosive devices to include, but not limited to, Molotov Cocktails, components of a destructive device, and fireworks.
Mace and pepper spray.
Liquid of any kind, including water and other beverages. This restriction does not apply to staff.
Food of any kind, including fruit and unopened packaged food. This restriction does not apply to staff.
Aerosol containers.
Non-Aerosol spray except for prescribed medical needs.
Sealed envelopes and packages. This restriction does not apply to staff.

Jimmy Carter public viewing tour bus

Tour buses will continue to be rerouted to Union Station through 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8.

Road closures and parking restrictions for State Funeral of Former President Carter

The state funeral has been classified as a National Special Security Event (NSSE), which means federal and local agencies will collaborate under the leadership of the United States Secret Service. Residents should expect significant road closures throughout Northwest Washington, including temporary closures for dignitary escorts.

News Washington, D.C.Jimmy Carter