The commemoration of the late President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at a century old on a Sunday, is scheduled to take place over several days in both Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. President Biden in a somewhat disingenuous move declared that Thursday, Jan. 9, would be observed as a national day of mourning in honor of Carter. The late President will be laid to rest in a private ceremony in his birthplace, Plains, Georgia, beside his wife, the late former first lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in November 2023.
Stating the obvious, the federal government’s executive departments and agencies have declared Jan. 9 a non-working day in honor of Carter. Oddly enough, Biden took the opportunity to praise Carter’s efforts in conventional political areas such as combating disease, advocating for civil rights and human rights, and housing the homeless. Neglecting to mention, however, the complex geopolitical issues that surrounded his tenure.
Regardless of partisan affiliation, we can’t ignore that Carter had lived a remarkable life, becoming the longest-lived president in U.S. history. His state funeral is slated to take place on Jan. 9 in Washington, D.C. In accordance with tradition, Biden has commanded all flags at government buildings to fly at half-staff for the next 30 days. Even when dealing with such an important ceremony, one has to wonder about the genuineness of these gestures.
State funerals are extravagant proceedings, typically spanning from seven to ten days, to commemorate the life of a former president. They are usually planned in cooperation with the Defense Department. It’s interesting to note though that residents are only allowed to ‘participate in or watch’ such grand spectacles, reminding us of the barrier between politics and the everyday citizen.
Three main events comprise a state funeral according to the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR), a military unit tasked with planning and executing such ceremonies. The public memorial processes will be conducted sequentially in the state where the former president resided, in Washington, D.C., and in the state where the former president wished to be buried. State funerals, basically, are high-profile events, put on for anyone who held the office of president, the president-elect, and designated persons.
The most recent state funeral, held in the memory of President George H.W. Bush who died in 2018, was conducted at the Washington National Cathedral, attended by over 3,000 political figures and family members. Forgotten by most, Carter had attended this funeral along with former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and then-president Donald Trump.
However, state funerals aren’t just a Washington affair. The first step generally involves a ceremony in the home of the former president. Hence, Carter’s body is anticipated to lie in repose on Jan. 4 and 5 at the Carter Center, an Atlanta-based humanitarian organization that the Carters contributed to. On Jan. 6, the body will be transported to Washington, D.C., thereby marking the second stage of the state funeral process.
Carter is then expected to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, allowing individuals to walk through and pay respects. This tradition dates back to 1865, when Abraham Lincoln became the first president to be given this honor. However, Bush again was the last president to lie in state in 2018, a reminder of the disparate post-presidential lives led by these men.
The main event, Carter’s state funeral will occur in the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9. Even as Carter was grappling with the end of his life in hospice care in 2023, Biden confirmed he was asked by him to deliver a eulogy. One can’t help but question Biden’s role in such a solemn affair based on his previous political conduct.
Subsequently, Carter’s remains will be returned to his home state of Georgia for a private ceremony in Plains. It is here where he will be interred next to his wife, abandoning the public eye and the political world.
It is anticipated that global leaders and past presidents will convene to pay their respects at the various ceremonies for Carter. Remembering the 2018 funeral of Bush, a variety of former presidents, such as Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump made their presence known alongside their partners. The guest list will be interesting to monitor, given how it reflects upon those who choose to attend.
While the passing of a former president prompts a certain level of respect and the tradition of a state funeral is of historical importance, the politicization of these events often obscures their significance. It is in these times that questions arise – what do such grand memorials mean, and for whom are they held? Are they for a mourning nation or for the political elite to offer platitudes and reminisce publicly?
Critics suspect the latter. After all, the theater of politics seldom takes a day off. As the nation remembers Carter, it is equally crucial to critique the position of current political leaders like Biden and Harris. Their actions and words during such significant events can betray a wider attitude towards office, policy and legacy.
Indeed, while Biden dominates the headlines with his directives for mourning and grand speeches, might we ask whether this same energy is being directed towards current affairs? As he prepares his eulogy for Carter, his citizens continue to grapple with a multitude of crises. These actions raise the question of priorities and the role of our political leaders during these trying times.
In the end, the state funeral serves dual purposes – to honor the deceased and to provide a stage for political posturing. As Carter’s monuments rise and flags lower in respect, the citizens must critically evaluate the actions of the current administration in this somber spectacle. Remembering Carter should go beyond mere ceremony and should initiate reflections on past and current political practices.