Saying goodbye to Rosalynn Carter: Funeral details and how to watch live

In a solemn event, US presidents and first ladies will come together in Atlanta to say their final goodbye to Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady who passed away at the age of 96 on November 19. The private memorial service, scheduled for Tuesday, will be attended by President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton, and former first ladies Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump.

Despite former President Jimmy Carter's delicate health at 99, he is expected to be present at the ceremony, highlighting the profound importance of Rosalynn Carter's contributions. Rosalynn Carter, known for her unwavering commitment to humanitarian initiatives alongside her husband, was a strong advocate for mental health reform and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness. Her family disclosed that she had entered hospice care two days before her passing, as she had been diagnosed with dementia in May.

Ceremonies honoring her began across Georgia on Monday, with a motorcade tracing her journey from Plains, her small hometown, to Atlanta.

The poignant repose service unfolded at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library on Monday evening, while Tuesday will witness a departure ceremony at the Carter Presidential Center before a motorcade proceeds to Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at Emory University for a private tribute service. Vice President Kamala Harris, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens are also expected attendees, along with Rosalynn Carter's surviving grandchildren serving as honorary pallbearers.

The tribute ceremony, set to feature Rosalynn Carter's favorite scripture passages and songs, will include performances by country musicians Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who have been active in Habitat for Humanity projects honoring the Carters. On Wednesday, a private funeral service is scheduled at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where the couple lived since their return from the White House in 1981.

While Tuesday's ceremony remains private, the Carter family invites the public to view the motorcade departing from the Carter Presidential Center in the morning and leaving the church in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Carter Center Mental Health Program or the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers. Condolence books are available for signing at various locations.

Remembered as a lifelong humanitarian, Rosalynn Carter, alongside her husband, spearheaded initiatives for mental health and caregiving. As Georgia's first lady, she played a pivotal role in shifting mental health treatment to community centers, and in the White House, she contributed to the creation of a presidential commission on mental health. The Carters' enduring commitment to global causes continued through their nonprofit, the Carter Center, where they championed world peace, human rights, and fought neglected tropical diseases.

Rosalynn Carter's demise has led to an overwhelming response of tributes from relatives and leaders throughout the United States. They are recognizing her immense empathy and unwavering determination to support the welfare of people globally. As the nation gets ready to say goodbye to this influential personality, her legacy as a compassionate champion for mental health and caregiving will live on.

FAQs
When is Rosalynn Carter's funeral?
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter's funeral services have been scheduled for Wednesday, November 29 in Plains, Georgia. The funeral procession is set to arrive at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains at 10:55 a.m.

How to watch Rosalynn Carter's funeral
The memorial services and funeral will be broadcast by major television networks and streamed online. Atlanta News First will be covering the services live on television. Follow along for updated information at rosalynncartertribute.org and cartercenter.org.