Hundreds of mourners including all five living current and former U.S. presidents filed into the Washington National Cathedral, where Carter's flag-draped coffin was attended by a military honor guard.

Fellow Democratic President Joe Biden eulogized the 39th president, who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100, saying Carter's life was "the story of a man who never let the tides of politics divert him from his mission to serve and shape the world."

"The man had character," Biden said. "He showed us how character and faith start with ourselves and then flow to others."

Tens of thousands of Americans over the past two days filed through the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol to pay their respects to Carter, who was president from 1977 to 1981 and was burdened by an ailing economy and the Iran hostage crisis.

Many mourners hailed him as an example of decency and humility for today's breed of highly partisan politicians.

Republican President-elect Donald Trump, who will return to office on Jan. 20, was among the luminaries at the funeral.

Carter was born a peanut farmer in Plains, Georgia. He served as the state's governor from 1971 to 1975.

He was instrumental in shoring up support for fledgling anti-communist movements in Central Europe. He appointed Poland-born Zbigniew Brzezinski as his National Security Advisor, in a move that underscored his determination to weaken the Soviet grip over Central and Eastern Europe.

Carter ran for re-election in 1980 but was swept from office in a landslide as voters embraced Republican challenger Reagan, the former actor and California governor.

But Carter, who lived longer than any U.S. president and did not retire or ‘cash in’ on his status after leaving the White House, instead embarked on a philanthropic journey which eventually earned him a Nobel Peace Prize.