District of Columbia

Details of Marion Barry's Funeral Service, Memorial Events Revealed

Three days of memorial events will remember the life of former D.C. Mayor and Council Member Marion Barry.

Barry, known to many as Washington's "mayor for life,'' died Sunday at age 78. He served four terms as mayor and three terms as a city council member.

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and other officials announced details of the memorial events at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Barry will lie in repose for 24 hours in the Wilson Building, beginning with a ceremony 9 a.m. Dec. 4.

The following day, Friday, Dec., 5, Barry's body will be taken by public procession to Temple of Praise (700 Southern Ave. SE), a church he regularly attended. The procession will go through all eight wards, similar to the funeral procession for former Mayor Walter Washington in 2003, News4's Mark Segraves reported.

A musical and video tribute will take place from 3 to 6 p.m., followed by a community memorial service from 6 to 9 p.m.

His funeral will be held Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (Halls C&D, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW). A viewing from 8 to 11 a.m. will precede the service, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A private burial will follow.

After a brush with death several months ago, Barry gave his family specific instructions on how his services should be planned, Segraves reported.

Meanwhile residents who want to express condolences for Barry are being invited to the Wilson building this week. The public can sign an official book of condolence at between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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