George Floyd funeral in Houston: date, time, how to watch

George Floyd’s funeral is to be held in Houston on Tuesday, just over two weeks after his death in police custody in Minneapolis sparked Black Lives Matter protests across the United States and throughout the world, and led to the dismissal and arrest of four officers.

Floyd died on 25 May after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, despite the 46-year-old’s pleas that he could not breathe.

Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter, and appeared in court for the first time on Monday. Three other officers, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.

George Floyd funeral to begin at 11:00

Floyd’s funeral is to take place at the Fountain of Praise church at 11:00 local time (12:00 ET), with Reverend Al Sharpton set to deliver the eulogy at the private service, just as he did in a public memorial event held in Minneapolis on Thursday.

The funeral will be streamed live on the church’s website.

Floyd Mayweather, Jamie Foxx among attendees

The attendees are to include Houston mayor Sylvester Turner, congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, congressman Al Green, boxer Floyd Mayweather and actor Jamie Foxx, it has been reported in the US media.

Mayweather is to pay for the funeral, his representative Leonard Ellebe said last week.

A taped message by Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who travelled to Houston on Monday to meet with Floyd’s family, is expected to be played at the funeral. Biden does not plan to be at the service, CNN said, because the former vice-president does not want his Secret Service protection to disrupt the organisation of the event.

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Public viewing held on Monday

On Monday, a public viewing of Floyd’s casket was held at the Fountain of Praise church, with thousands of mourners turning out to pay their respects.