The funeral service for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away last Sunday at the age of 98, will be a poignant moment of potential political unity. All five living presidents – including Donald Trump – are expected to attend the service, scheduled for Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral. President Joe Biden, who revealed last year that Carter had personally requested he deliver the eulogy, will lead the tributes.
Biden’s role may carry an unintended resonance with his own political journey. Like Carter, who faced public rebuke after a single term marred by economic hardship and foreign policy challenges, Biden navigates his own political landscape. Yet, Carter’s legacy, often celebrated as the “nation’s greatest former president” for his tireless humanitarian work, provides a stark contrast to the often-divisive nature of contemporary politics.
While Biden delivers the eulogy, much attention will undoubtedly focus on Donald Trump. Eleven days away from his own presidential inauguration, Trump’s presence at the funeral, despite his history of norm-breaking behavior and criticism of his predecessors, is a noteworthy departure. Historian Sarah Purcell of Grinnell College suggests this attendance indicates a possible adherence to a minimum standard of presidential decorum, speculating that even Trump recognizes the boundaries of acceptable conduct at such an event.
Nevertheless, Trump’s interactions with other former presidents—Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama—will be closely observed. Past instances of strained interactions, such as his limited engagement with the Clintons at George H.W. Bush’s funeral, highlight the potential for awkwardness. Yet, Purcell emphasizes the remarkable nature of Trump’s attendance itself.
The service, encompassing both Democrats and Republicans, will also feature readings of eulogies from Carter’s predecessor, Gerald Ford (read by his son), and Vice President Walter Mondale (read by his son). The occasion offers a temporary respite from the partisan rancor that currently dominates Washington, particularly in the wake of a fiercely contested election. Purcell, author of *Spectacle of Grief*, believes the event might demonstrate a capacity for unity based on respectful ritual, even if substantive political agreement remains elusive.
Carter’s six-day state funeral commenced on Saturday with a motorcade through his hometown of Plains, Georgia, including a stop at his childhood farm where the National Park Service will ring the farm bell 39 times, in honor of his presidency. His body will lie in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta before being transported to Washington, D.C., to lie in state in the Capitol rotunda. Following Thursday’s service, he will be returned to Georgia for a private burial alongside his wife, Rosalynn.
Many hope the tributes will serve to highlight Carter’s post-presidency achievements, including his Nobel Peace Prize, and his accomplishments during his time in office. Filmmaker Jim Pattiz, co-director of the documentary *Carterland*, emphasizes Biden’s long-standing friendship and support for Carter, making Biden’s eulogy all the more fitting and meaningful. He notes that Biden’s unwavering support for Carter stands in contrast to the sometimes strained relationships between Carter and other Democratic leaders.