Carter’s funeral is the fifth official state funeral to be held at the National Cathedral, following Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, and the National Cathedral’s pastor, the Reverend Randolph Hollerith. Wednesday Reporter.
But “every funeral itself, whether presidential or not, is completely unique,” Hollerith added.
He said the cathedral’s preparation period is typically limited to “generally eight to 10 days.” News of Carter’s death meant “the whole cathedral, every staff member and everyone went into preparation mode to honor him.”
The service will consist of readings, prayers, eulogies and a homily, and “there will be a lot of beautiful music and a military honor guard will be in attendance,” Hollerith said.
He added: “It will be very dignified but also very gratifying.”
Hollerith believes this puts aside partisan rancor for a service that Carter will appreciate.
“When you have a presidential funeral or a national rally like this, it brings the left and the right together, and it brings together Republicans and Democrats from both sides of the Washington, D.C. area,” Hollerith said. “And I know he would love to see America come together.”
— Gillian Morley
