All 5 living U.S. presidents gather to remember former President Jimmy Carter
President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral was filled with personal stories, humorous anecdotes, highlights of the former president’s achievements and touching musical numbers.
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Front row, from left, President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, and second row from left, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, former President Barack Obama, President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump, stand during the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
Caitlin is a trending intern for Deseret News. She covers travel, entertainment and other trending topics.
KEY POINTS
All five living presidents gathered in person for the first time since 2018 for Jimmy Carter's funeral.
President Joe Biden's eulogy focused on Jimmy Carter's character and faith.
A memorial wall in honor of Jimmy Carter has been constructed in Salt Lake City.
President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral was filled with personal stories, humorous anecdotes, highlights of the former president’s achievements and touching musical numbers. All five living U.S. presidents were in attendance for Thursday’s service.
The service took place on Thursday morning at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Seven people gave eulogies, including two of the former president’s grandsons, Joshua and Jason Carter, who touched on the love their grandfather shared with them and others.
Steven Ford and Ted Mondale read remembrances of Carter written by their late fathers, former President Gerald R. Ford and the late Vice President Walter Mondale.
Other friends of President Carter who spoke were President Joe Biden, former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young, and longtime friend Stuart Eizenstat, who served as an adviser to Carter during his presidency.
The service featured multiple musical numbers, including a performance of the song “Imagine” by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.
The casket of former President Jimmy Carter arrives for a state funeral at the National Cathedral, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Washington. | Haiyun Jiang
Five living presidents gather for the funeral
All five living U.S. presidents, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, sat together in the front two rows of the cathedral.
The presidents were joined by their wives, with four of the five living first ladies present. Former first lady Michelle Obama did not attend the service.
Michelle Obama’s office did not share where the former first lady was or why she wasn’t at the service, per The Associated Press.
Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff also sat with the presidents and first ladies.
According to The New York Times, the last time all of the living presidents were gathered in person was for the funeral of President George H.W. Bush in 2018.
In 2023, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter were in attendance for the funeral of former first lady Rosalynn Carter.
All five living first ladies, Jill Biden, Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, attended Rosalynn Carter’s funeral.
President Joe Biden touches the casket of former President Jimmy Carter during a state funeral service at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Jacquelyn Martin
Highlights of Joe Biden’s eulogy
President Biden spoke of his friendship with Jimmy Carter that started in 1974 when Biden was the first sitting Democratic senator to endorse the late president.
He focused on Carter’s character which he described as his “enduring attribute.”
“Jimmy Carter’s friendship taught me, and through his life, taught me, strength of character is more than title or the power we hold,” Biden said.
The president’s eulogy also focused on Jimmy Carter’s faith and how he treated everyone he met with dignity and respect.
As a piece of advice for young people, Biden said that anyone who is looking to find purpose should study Carter’s example.
Biden also took time to emphasize the obligation that people have to stand up against abuse of power.
“We have an obligation to give hate no safe harbor, and to stand up to what my dad used to say is the greatest sin of all, the abuse of power,” Joe Biden said. “That’s not about being perfect, because none of us are perfect.”
Memorial wall for President Carter raised in Utah
On Thursday morning, Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area held a wall raising ceremony as a memorial to honor Carter for the work he did during his life, per KSL News Radio.
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In his life, Carter spent decades advocating for Habitat for Humanity, personally working on almost 4,500 homes.
David Cannon, CFO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area, signs supports for a memorial wall for the late President Jimmy Carter at the Habitat for Humanity Salt Lake ReStore in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
According to KSL News Radio, this memorial wall is one part of an interactive art display in tribute to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter titled “Opening Doors.”
Throughout the month the exhibit will travel around to multiple locations in the Salt Lake Valley.
The group also created a Carter Legacy Fund for those who would like to donate in his memory, with the proceeds going to support affordable homebuilding in Salt Lake, Davis and Tooele counties, per KSL News Radio.
A joint services body bearer team carries the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, to head to Washington National Cathedral for a State Funeral. | Susan Walsh, Associated Press
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A joint services body bearer team carries the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, to head to Washington National Cathedral for a State Funeral. | Shawn Thew, Associated Press
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A young person watches as the casket of former President Jimmy Carter is taken from the U.S. Capitol in Washington to the National Cathedral for a state funeral, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Jeenah Moon, Associated Press
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The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter at the U.S. Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Washington and then onto the National Cathedral for a state funeral. | Jeenah Moon, Associated Press
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The Carter family looks on as the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter is carried by a joint services body bearer team down the steps of the U.S. Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Washington and then onto the National Cathedral for a state funeral. | Jeenah Moon, Associated Press
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With the U.S. Capitol in the background the honor guard band leaves after the casket of former President Jimmy Carter departed to a state funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press
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The hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter arrives at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, for a State Funeral. | Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press
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Former President Barack Obama, from left, speaks with President-elect Donald Trump as his wife Melania Trump looks on before the casket of former President Jimmy Carter arrives for a state funeral at the National Cathedral, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Washington. | Ricky Carioti, The Washington Post via the Associated Press
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The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter arrives for a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Ben Curtis, Associated Press
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The casket of former President Jimmy Carter arrives for a state funeral at the National Cathedral, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Washington. | Haiyun Jiang, The New York Times via the Associated Press
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President Joe Biden speaks a tribute next to the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter, during a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Washington. | Ben Curtis, Associated Press
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Jack Carter, right, and his wife Liz, react during the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Washington. | Ricky Carioti, The Washington Post via the Associated Press
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Grandson Jason Carter, speaks during the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Ben Curtis, Associated Press
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Grandson Jason Carter, walks by and touches the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter, after speaking a tribute at the state funeral for Carter at Washington National Cathedral, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Washington. | Ben Curtis, Associated Press
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Ted Mondale, son of the late former Vice President Walter Mondale, speaks a tribute written by his father, during the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Ben Curtis, Associated Press
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The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter during a state funeral at the National Cathedral, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Washington. | Ben Curtis, Associated Press
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A joint services body bearer team carries the casket of former President Jimmy Carter after a state funeral service at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
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A joint services body bearer team carries the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter out of Washington National Cathedral, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, following a State Funeral. | Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press
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The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter is seen in the hearse at Washington National Cathedral, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, following a state funeral. | Susan Walsh, Associated Press
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Members of the Carter family board Special Air Mission 39 after the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter was loaded onboard, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Susan Walsh, Associated Press
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The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter is carried by a joint services body bearer team to Special Air Mission 39, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Susan Walsh, Associated Press
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Jeff Carter arrives before the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter was loaded onboard Special Air Mission 39, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Susan Walsh, Associated Press
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Chief Michael Marshalsea and TM1 Ian Knight fire a 40mm saluting battery during a 21-gun salute for former President Jimmy Carter at the Naval Submarine Base New London, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Groton, Conn. | Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Associated Press
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The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter carried by a joint services body bearer team from Special Air Mission 39 at Lawson Army Airfield, in Fort Moore, Ga., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Alex Brandon, Associated Press
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The hearse containing the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter approaches Palins, Ga., and Maranatha Baptist Church Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Alex Brandon, Associated Press
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People watch as the hearse containing the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter is driven from Lawson Army Airfield, in Fort Moore, Ga., to Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. | Alex Brandon, Associated Press
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An honor guard and honor guard band march before the casket of former President Jimmy Carter arrives at Maranatha Baptist Church for a funeral service, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Plains, Ga. | Mike Stewart, Associated Press
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Sailors aboard Virginia-class attack submarine USS Virginia lower the flag from half mast during evening colors at the Naval Submarine Base New London, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Groton, Conn. | Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Associated Press
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