Murdered Christian Voice Contestant Christina Grimmie's Funeral Set for Friday
The memorial service for Christian singer and popular former contestant on NBC's "The Voice" Christina Grimmie, 22, who was fatally shot in Orlando, Florida, last weekend is set for Friday at her home church in New Jersey.
An obituary announcement posted by Costantino Funeral Home in Pike Berlin, New Jersey, lists the Fellowship Alliance Chapel in Bedford, New Jersey, where Grimmie once served as lead female singer for the service.
"Next to music her favorite hobby was playing video games with her brother and friends, especially Legend of Zelda. Christina was truly a light in this world. She loved Jesus and loved people and truly wanted to make an impact on this world with her gift. Anyone who met her was blessed by knowing her. Heaven has certainly gained an angel for their choir. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing Friday 3:00PM-8:00PM Fellowship Alliance Chapel 199 Church Rd. Medford, NJ 08055. Memorial service promptly starting at 8:00PM," said the announcement.
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Grimmie's interment is expected to take place privately.
"It's just going to be a small, intimate gathering for her family and close friends," a source told PEOPLE.
The family is also encouraging well-wishers to make contributions to the Christina Grimmie Scholarship Fund for the Performing Arts of Cherokee High School c/o Costantino Funeral Home in lieu of flowers.
A GoFundMe campaign started four days ago by Grimmie's longtime manager Brian Teefy to assist the singer's family had raised more than $166,000 as of Wednesday evening.
"Words cannot begin to describe the pain I am feeling. I learned this business through the eyes of a father and Christina was like a second daughter to me. All I wanted to do was assist her in achieving her musical dreams while protecting her from the pitfalls associated with the business. I never could have imagined this horrific event being one of the pitfalls needing to be avoided," wrote Teefey, who is also step-father to pop star Selena Gomez.
"In Christina's honor I have created a Go Fund Me page to assist her family in their time of need. As family Mother, Father, and Brother made the ultimate family sacrifice to support Christina on her musical journey. They did nothing but love her and support her as family the best they knew how, the only worry I want them to have at this point is that of recovery," Teefy added.
At her concert in Miami Saturday night after Grimmie's death, Gomez delivered an emotional tribute to her friend highlighting that she had strong faith.
"The one thing about Christina and her family, is that she holds her faith so closely to her," Gomez said, before dedicating her next song Transfiguration to Grimmie. "It's not about her religion, and it's not about good deeds. It's just that she had faith. And I don't really understand how this happened, but I would like to dedicate this next song to her."
Kevin James Loibl, 27, shot Grimmie on Friday night as she signed autographs after a concert in Orlando, Florida.
At a vigil held in the singer's honor in her hometown of Evesham, New Jersey, on Monday, Christina's brother Marcus told about 500 supporters that his sister who "loved the lord" had her arms "wide open" to Loibl when he approached her. He would eventually go on to taking his own life.
"She loved this town. She loved the state. She loved singing. She loved the Lord. And she loved me and she was just my baby sister," said Marcus.
"The tragedy that took place. It was a free meet and greet post show. I missed the very first glimpse but witnesses say that she was arms open wide. So she had no idea. She treated everybody the same. And it was hard for her because she was introverted," he said.
