Zachery Tims Dead: Funeral Will Be Private, Tribute Service Still Public
After earlier reports that the viewing and funeral for Zachery Tims would be streamed live on his Florida church's website, the late pastor's family has had a change of heart.
New Destiny Christian Center had revealed Thursday that both the viewing and funeral for Tims would be broadcast on the Internet for those who would not be able to attend the services in person. By Thursday afternoon, however, word had come that Tims' family had changed their minds and decided to keep the former senior pastor's funeral service private.
Tims' wake and tribute service, which has been moved from Saturday to Friday, will still be shown live on NDCC.tv, a church representative named Eve told The Christian Post Thursday.
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Both the wake and funeral are closed to members of the media, at the family's request.
The late pastor, born in Baltimore, Md., will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home in Orlando.
In a flyer posted on New Destiny Christian Center's (NDCC) website, well-wishers who wanted to send flowers were instead instructed to send donations to the Bank of America for the "Dr. Zachery Tims Jr. Children's Trust."
Tims, 42, founder, senior pastor and CEO of NDCC in Apopka, Fla., was found dead in his room at the W Hotel in New York City last Friday, August 12.
An autopsy conducted Saturday failed to reveal what may have killed Tims. Officials were now looking to toxicology tests to explain what may have led to Tims' tragic demise.
The wake at NDCC is now scheduled for Friday when Tims' body will be lying in state from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. A tribute service has also been scheduled for the same day from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tims' funeral is taking place on Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Orlando. A viewing on Saturday has also been scheduled for 10 a.m.
Tims and his ex-wife, Riva Tims, founded NDCC in 1996.
