George Jones’ Funeral Will Be Open to the Public

A funeral for George Jones will be open to the public this Thursday, May 2nd, at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The service will start at 10 a.m.

“George would have wanted his fans and friends everywhere to be able to come and pay their respects along with his family,” Jones’ publicist, Kirt Webster, said in a statement.

George Jones Through the Years

The acclaimed country singer died Friday at 81, after he was hospitalized earlier in the month with a fever and irregular blood pressure. Jones’ health had been in decline after a lifetime of hard living that came with an enviable career: He released 27 Top 10 albums on his own and in collaboration with the likes of wife (and then ex-wife) Tammy Wynette, and dozens of Top 10 singles. Jones’ death prompted an outpouring of tributes on Twitter from the country community, as well as high-profile fans in other genres who counted Jones among their influences.

In addition to the public funeral, there will be a private visitation Wednesday for “family, friends and fellow performers.” In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund or to the Country Music Hall of Fame.