He was the leader of the free world, but he always just wanted to go home. Honestly, that’s the most Jimmy Carter thing about him. After a life that spanned an incredible 100 years, from the red clay of Georgia to the Oval Office and back again, people are asking one specific question: where will Jimmy Carter be laid to rest? It isn't a flashy monument in Washington or a massive marble tomb in some distant city. It's much simpler than that.
The answer is Plains. Specifically, the private residence the Carters built in 1961.
Most people expect a president to choose a burial site at their Presidential Library or a national cemetery. Not Jimmy. He and Rosalynn decided decades ago that they belonged to the land that raised them. Jimmy Carter was interred on January 9, 2025, right in the garden of the family compound in Plains, Georgia. He’s right there next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in late 2023.
A Love Story in the Soil
They really were a unit. You can't talk about Jimmy without Rosalynn. When she died, it felt like the clock started ticking differently for him. He stayed in hospice care for a remarkably long time—nearly two years—at that same modest ranch house. It’s the only home they ever actually owned. Imagine that. A man who could have lived anywhere chose to stay in a house that cost less than many people's cars today.
The burial site is tucked away on the property, which is technically part of the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. But don't expect to just walk up to the headstone whenever you want. The home and the immediate garden remain private.
It’s under a willow tree. That detail always gets me. It’s peaceful. It’s quiet. It’s exactly where a Sunday school teacher from a town of 700 people should be.
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Where Will Jimmy Carter Be Laid to Rest? Understanding the Choice of Plains
To understand why he isn't at Arlington National Cemetery, you have to understand the man. Jimmy Carter was the first president born in a hospital, but his heart was always in the peanut fields. He’s the 39th president, but he was a neighbor first.
Why not the Carter Center in Atlanta?
Many people assumed he’d be buried at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta. It’s a beautiful spot. It has the ponds and the view of the skyline. But for the Carters, Atlanta was work. Plains was life.
The couple made it clear in their estate planning that they wanted a "simple" burial. They even chose granite headstones that look a lot like the ones used by the Nixons—unpretentious and dignified.
The State Funeral vs. The Private Interment
The journey to that willow tree was a long one. A state funeral is a massive undertaking. It involves a "choreography of grief," as some historians call it.
- The Atlanta Stop: He lay in repose at the Carter Center so Georgians could say goodbye.
- The D.C. Honors: He lay in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
- The National Cathedral: This was the big one. President Biden gave the eulogy. Even then, the plans were already set to get him back on a plane to Georgia the second the service ended.
The final ceremony at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains was the real goodbye. This is where he taught Sunday school for decades. If you ever visited Plains while he was healthy, you might have actually sat in a pew and heard him speak. He didn't just play the part of a small-town guy; he was one.
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The Logistics of a Presidential Burial Site
You might be wondering how a private home becomes a burial ground. Usually, there are a lot of zoning laws and health codes to navigate. But when you're a former president, things work a little differently.
The National Park Service (NPS) actually manages the property. While the Carters were alive, the NPS maintained the grounds as part of the National Historical Park, even though the couple lived inside. Now that they are both gone, the site serves as a permanent memorial.
- Public Access: Currently, the "Carter Gardens & Burial Site" has limited public viewing areas. You can't just wander into the backyard, but there are spots designated for reflection.
- Security: The Secret Service doesn't just leave the day a president dies. There is a transition period, and because the site is part of a National Park, there is permanent federal oversight.
- The Marker: It’s a simple white Georgia marble headstone. No gold leaf. No giant statues of him in a suit.
What This Means for the Town of Plains
Plains is basically a one-street town. It’s got the peanut silo, the train depot, and a whole lot of history. Now that Jimmy is laid to rest there, the town's identity as a pilgrimage site is sealed forever.
He didn't want to be a monument in a city of monuments. He wanted to be a part of the town that made him.
The local economy in Plains has always been tied to the Carters. With him being buried there, the National Park Service expects a steady stream of visitors for decades to come. It’s a bit of a heavy burden for such a small place, but the people there seem to take it in stride. They called him "Mr. Jimmy" until the very end.
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Actionable Insights for Visitors
If you’re planning to travel to Plains to pay your respects, you need to keep a few things in mind. This isn't a theme park. It's a functioning, quiet community.
- Check the NPS Website: The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park updates its hours and access points frequently. Don't drive all the way to rural Georgia without checking if the burial garden is open to visitors that day.
- Respect the Privacy: Remember that while the garden is a park, it was a family home for 60 years. Stick to the paved walkways.
- Visit the Boyhood Farm: To really understand the man, go to the farm where he grew up. It’s just down the road and gives you the context for why he chose to come back here.
- Prepare for the Heat: South Georgia is no joke. If you go in the summer, bring water. The shade under those willow trees is reserved for Jimmy and Rosalynn.
Jimmy Carter lived a life of service, but his final act was one of humility. By choosing to be laid to rest in a simple garden in Plains, he reminded us that no matter how far you go, you should never forget where you came from.
To learn more about his legacy, you can visit the official National Park Service page for the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. They have the most current information on visiting the grave site and the surrounding historic buildings.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Before you head out, make sure to download the NPS App. It has a self-guided audio tour of Plains that includes the Carters' home, the high school where they both graduated, and the train depot that served as his 1976 campaign headquarters. This will give you a much deeper sense of why this specific spot in Georgia was the only place he ever wanted to be.