Carter’s is the fifth official national memorial service for a president to be held at the National Cathedral, following Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford and George HW Bush, the dean of the National Cathedral, the Rev. Randolph Hollerith, told reporters Wednesday.

But “every funeral itself, whether it’s a presidential funeral or any other funeral, is completely unique,” Hollerith added.

He said the cathedral generally has a limited amount of time to prepare, “often eight to 10 days.” News of Carter’s death meant that “the entire cathedral – all the staff and everyone – we all prepared to honor him.”

The service will include readings, prayers, eulogies and a sermon and “there will be a lot of beautiful music and there will be a military honor guard in attendance,” Hollerith said.

“It will be very dignified and at the same time very joyful,” he added.

Hollerith believes Carter appreciates putting aside partisan rancor for the sake of service.

“When we have a presidential funeral or a national gathering like this, left and right, Republicans and Democrats — both sides of the aisle in the Washington, D.C. area — come together,” Hollerith said. “And I know he would love to see America come together.”

— Gillian Morley