President Joe Biden has declared Thursday, Jan. 9, a national day of mourning following the death of former President Jimmy Carter.
Biden said that flags will be at displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds for a period of 30 days from the day of his death. He called on the American people to assemble on Jan. 9 “in their respective places of worship” to pay homage to Carter.
“I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance,” Biden said in a statement following Carter’s death.
On previous national days of mourning, like after the deaths of former Presidents George H. W. Bush in 2018 and Gerald Ford in 2006, federal offices and stock markets were closed in the U.S.
Here’s what to know about whether post offices, banks and shipping services, like UPS and FedEx, will be open or closed on Jan. 9.
How long will flags be half-staff?Jimmy Carter’s death prompts national day of mourning
Jimmy Carter funeral schedule, times
Ceremonies for Carter on Jan. 9 are scheduled for the following times in Eastern Time, as reported by the Savannah Morning News:
- 9 a.m. ET, U.S. Capitol: A ceremony will be held the motorcade departs for the Washington National Cathedral.
- 9:30 a.m., Washington National Cathedral: An arriving ceremony will follow the motorcade’s arrival.
- 10 a.m., Washington National Cathedral: The National Funeral Service will take place.
- 11:15 a.m., Washington National Cathedral: Carter’s family will leave the ceremony and travel to Joint Base Andrews via the motorcade. They will depart to Georgia on Special Air Mission 39.
- 2 p.m., Lawson Army Airfield: The Carter family will arrive at the military airport in Fort Moore, Georgia. They will travel by another motorcade to Plains.
- 3:45 p.m., Maranatha Baptist Church: A private funeral service will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains.
- 4:45 p.m.: The Carter family will leave by motorcade and travel to Carter’s private residence.
- 5:20 p.m., Carter Residence: A private internment will take place, where Carter will be buried next to his wife. Rosalynn died in 2023 at the age of 96.
Is the post office closed today? Will mail be delivered on January 9, 2025?
Federal offices will be closed on Jan. 9 following an executive order issued by Biden, meaning all U.S. Postal Service post offices will be closed and mail will not be delivered on Thursday, the USPS confirmed to USA TODAY.
Are banks closed today, January 9, 2025?
National days of mourning do not require businesses or banks to close like a federal holiday normally does, so most banks will remain open on Jan. 9.
It is a good idea to reach out to your local bank branch if you want more specific information regarding their hours on Thursday.
Will UPS and FedEx close on Jan. 9?
No, UPS and FedEX pickup and delivery services are expected to be available on Jan. 9, and UPS Store and FedEx Office locations will be open.
Winter Weather: What will be closed in Texas today?
In addition to the national day of mourning, parts of Texas are also being hit with another winter storm.
Areas in Central Texas could see a mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow between Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS predicts cold, freezing rain Thursday morning to midnight on Friday and then some sleet and snow west of Austin between midnight and sunrise on Friday.
In North Texas, a winter storm watch and warning are now in effect as the NWS predicts snowfall accumulations between 2 and 4 inches in the warning area. Other areas of Dallas-Fort Worth could see up to 8 inches of snow.
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Facilities that would usually be open for the national day of mourning may be closed due to winter weather. Check with your local offices to see if they’re open, and consider avoiding driving in dangerous conditions.
Winter Storm Cora hits Texas:See latest updates on flights, roads, power outages
— USA TODAY contributed to this report.
