Death of Jimmy Carter: What is lying in state, lying in repose and lying in honor?

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The flag-draped casket of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter lies in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on January 8, 2025 in Washington, DC. Carter's body will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until a funeral service at the National Cathedral in W

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ATLANTA - Former President Jimmy Carter is currently lying in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as the nation honors the 39th president. This solemn occasion precedes a National Funeral Service at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday morning, followed by Carter's burial in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, on Thursday afternoon.

The ceremony highlights the long-standing tradition of lying in state, a prestigious honor granted to high-ranking officials. Here’s an explanation of the practices of lying in state, lying in repose, and lying in honor, along with some fascinating historical facts.

Lying in State vs. Lying in Repose

These terms both refer to public viewings but differ in location and eligibility:

Lying in State:

Takes place in the principal government building of a country or city, such as the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
Reserved for high-ranking officials, including presidents, members of Congress, and military leaders.
At the U.S. Capitol, the casket usually rests on the historic Lincoln catafalque, a wooden platform constructed for President Abraham Lincoln’s funeral in 1865.
Guarded by representatives from all branches of the U.S. military.

Presidents/VP Presidents who have lain in state:

President Abraham Lincoln: April 19-21, 1865
Vice President Henry Wilson: Nov. 25-26, 1875
President James A. Garfield: Sept. 21-23, 1881
President William McKinley Jr.: Sept. 17, 1901
President Warren G. Harding: Aug. 8, 1923
President William H. Taft: March 11, 1930
President John F. Kennedy: Nov. 24-25, 1963
President Dwight D. Eisenhower: March 30-31, 1969
President Herbert C. Hoover: Oct. 23-25, 1964
President Lyndon B. Johnson: Jan. 24-25, 1973
Vice President and Senator Hubert H. Humphrey: Jan. 14-15, 1978

It is up to the deceased's family whether the person will lie in state. For example, when Harry S. Truman died, his body did not lie in state in the Capitol because his wife did not want to travel to Washington.

Lying in Repose:

Mourners view the casket of former President Jimmy Carter as he lies in repose at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum on January 6, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Carter will lay in repose at the center during six days of funeral observances

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Occurs in a location other than a principal government building, such as a presidential library, church, or funeral home.
Open to a broader range of individuals, including prominent figures and justices.
Typically less formal, without military guards or the use of the Lincoln catafalque.

Both ceremonies allow the public to pay their respects but differ in their level of formality and prestige.

Former President Jimmy Carter lie in repose at The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum before he was taken to Washington, D.C., to lie in state. This is not an unusual practice to allow for residents of a president's home state to pay their respects before their official funeral in Washington.

Lying in Honor

Military pallbearers deliver the casket of Rosa Parks into the Capitol as they lay her body in honor at the Rotunda October 30, 2005 in the Capitol building in Washington, DC. Parks is the first woman and the second African American to lie in honor a

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Reserved for private citizens or non-elected officials who made extraordinary contributions to society. It’s less formal than lying in state but still allows for public tributes.

Notable Examples:Civil rights icon Rosa Parks, who lay in honor in the Capitol Rotunda in 2005.Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and William Evans, recognized for their service and sacrifice during and after the January 6 Capitol attack.Hershel W. "Woody" Williams: Last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient. Died June 29, 2022.Rev. Billy Graham Jr.: Minister, evangelist and adviser to presidents. Died Feb. 21, 2018.
Civil rights icon Rosa Parks, who lay in honor in the Capitol Rotunda in 2005.
Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and William Evans, recognized for their service and sacrifice during and after the January 6 Capitol attack.
Hershel W. "Woody" Williams: Last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient. Died June 29, 2022.
Rev. Billy Graham Jr.: Minister, evangelist and adviser to presidents. Died Feb. 21, 2018.

Georgians Honored at the U.S. Capitol

John Lewis: The late congressman and civil rights icon lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda from July 27-28, 2020. Public viewing also held on the East Central Front Portico.
Ralph Puckett Jr.: Last living Korean War Medal of Honor recipient and decorated U.S. Army Ranger, Puckett lay in honor on April 29, 2024, following his death earlier that month.

Interesting Facts About Lying in State or Lying in Honor

The Lincoln catafalque, built in 1865, is still used for lying in state ceremonies.
Pierre Charles L’Enfant, architect of Washington, D.C., lay in state 84 years after his death.
Four unknown soldiers from World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam have been honored.
Only about 40 individuals in U.S. history have lain in state, making it a rare and prestigious honor.
Only one woman has lain in state at U.S. Capitol: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2020.
Only 7 individuals have lain in honor at the Capitol, a much rarer occurrence than lying in state.
The most recent person to lie in honor was Capitol Police Officer William "Billy" F. Evans on April 13, 2021.