11 things that happen when a president dies

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A U.S. PRESIDENT DIES _Editor’s note: __Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and a renowned humanitarian, died at 100 years old on Dec. 29, 2024. His

funeral services are set to take place at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9._ When current or former presidents of the United States die, elaborate multi-day PRESIDENTIAL FUNERALS

are held. People from across the political spectrum come together, and former living presidents and first ladies typically attend the services. These massive events commemorate the life of

someone who once held the highest office in the land, and was considered the leader of the free world. From military salutes to lying in state in the U.S. Capitol, here’s what happens when a

president dies. GET _READER’S DIGEST_’S READ UP NEWSLETTER FOR MORE HISTORY, HUMOR, CLEANING, TRAVEL, TECH AND FUN FACTS ALL WEEK LONG. Win McNamee/Getty Images FLAGS FLY AT HALF-STAFF Per

federal law, all government buildings, public schools, offices and military bases must lower their flags to half-staff for 30 days when a U.S. president or former president dies. The sitting

president is also expected to issue an official announcement of the death, as well as authorize the closure of federal buildings, agencies and departments to observe a national day of

mourning. For example, following the death of Jimmy Carter on Dec. 29, 2024, President Joe Biden ordered flags lowered to half-staff for the next 30 days—including on Inauguration Day on

Jan. 20. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images THE CASKET IS TRANSPORTED TO THE CAPITOL Most former presidents return to their home states after leaving office, which means the body needs to be

transported to the U.S. Capitol. That was the case with Carter, who spent two-and-a-half days lying in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta before his casket was flown to

Joint Base Andrews, Maryland aboard Special Air Mission 39. Carter’s remains were then transferred with ceremony to the hearse, then brought to the U.S. Navy Memorial, where they were

transferred to a horse-drawn caisson for a funeral procession to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.