NEW YORK — Mail will not be delivered in New York and other federal offices will be closed Thursday, a day of mourning to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29 at age 100.
President Joe Biden declared a national day of mourning for Carter, the World War II veteran and Georgia peanut farmer whose one-year presidency blossomed into a post-White House life as a distinguished diplomat, humanitarian and Nobel laureate.
Biden called Carter “a man of character, courage and compassion.”
“Through his extraordinary moral leadership, President Carter lived a noble life full of meaning and purpose,” Biden said. “And as a trusted spiritual leader, he shepherded people through times of pain and joy, inspiring them through the power of his example and healing them through the power of his guidance.”
Biden will deliver the eulogy at Carter's stateside funeral beginning at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday at Washington National Cathedral. Carter's body, which had been in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta since Saturday, arrived in Washington on Tuesday for the three-day funeral. His body will lie in state until 7 a.m. Thursday in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.
In his statement declaring the day of mourning, Biden ordered that “all executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government will be closed” on Thursday, except those necessary for “national security, defense or other public needs.” Federal employees will continue to be paid.
Here's what will be open and closed in New York on the day of national mourning:
Although the US Postal Service will suspend mail delivery and close post offices, there will be limited package delivery service, according to a USPS news release.
The New York Stock Exchange will close, according to a statement, and the Nasdaq also said it would close on Thursday.
National parks will generally be open as usual, but administrative offices will remain closed.
The US Supreme Court and other federal courts will remain closed.
Banks will open as usual because the national day of mourning is not an official federal holiday. Schools will generally be open, except for military schools.
Carter's funeral will be televised by several network and cable channels that will offer special coverage. Here is the schedule for Carter's funeral (all times EST and subject to change):
8:45 a.m.: The Carter family departs Blair House via motorcade.
9 a.m.: Departure ceremony from the US Capitol.
9:15 a.m.: Motorcade departs for Washington National Cathedral.
9:30 a.m.: Carter's body and family members arrive at Washington National Cathedral.
9:55 a.m.: Carter's body is carried into the cathedral during a brief arrival ceremony.
10 am: Start of national funeral.
11 am: Depart Washington National Cathedral.
11:15 a.m.: Motorcade departs for Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
11:45 a.m.: Carter's body and family members arrive at Joint Base Andrews and board Special Air Mission 39.
12:15 PM: Special Air Mission 39 departs for Lawson Army Airfield at Fort Moore, Georgia.
2 pm: Special Air Mission 39 arrives at Lawson Army Airfield and Carter's casket is taken to a hearse.
2:30 p.m.: Motorcade departs for Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia.
3:30 pm: Arrival Ceremony at Maranatha Baptist Church
15:45: Private funeral.
4:30 pm: Depart Maranatha Baptist Church.
4:45 p.m.: Family members travel with the late president in a motorcade through downtown Plains. The public is invited to follow the motorcade route as his remains are carried to his hometown.
5:20 p.m.: The motorcade arrives at Carter's residence for a private burial service, with a special “missing in person” flyover conducted by the U.S. Navy to honor the former president's naval service and time as commander-in-chief .
As is customary, US flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, January 28, to honor Carter. Flags are flown at half-staff for 30 days following the death of a sitting or former president in accordance with a 1954 proclamation signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
