The family of Muhammad Ali has decided to grant a wish of the late champion boxer -- he wanted the world to be present at his funeral.
'The Greatest' heavyweight champion, who was suffering from Parkinson's disease and passed away on Saturday, from "septic shock due to unspecified natural causes," will be bid adieu in a public service at the KFC Yum! Centre in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday, June 10.
According to family sources, the Muhammad Ali’s funeral will be streamed on the centre's website.
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Family spokesperson Bob Gunnell said that his last rites will be a celebration, which will "reflect his devotion to all races, religions, and backgrounds," adding "entire Ali family invite everyone to join them for the celebration."
The legendary boxer’s casket arrived in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday ahead of his funeral and public memorial service.
It is being reported that his family will hold a private ceremony the day before and he will be buried at CaveHillCemetery in Louisville.
After the family service on Thursday, the day of the funeral will begin with another private prayer service for family members at a Louisville funeral home.
Ali's body will then be taken in procession through the main streets of Louisville, including an avenue that bears his name and Broadway, where a procession was held in 1960 to celebrate his Olympic gold medal.
Gunnell further said that the interfaith memorial service was personally planned by the three time world heavyweight champion years ago.
He noted, "All family members were having a tough time. They had a full day to say farewell to Muhammad. All family members. All daughters and his son were in attendance and his wife. They were able to get quality time with him to say their final goodbyes. It was a solemn moment. The champ would have been very proud of his family."
