Having died of lung cancer at his home in London, England, Gregory Isaacs' body is expected tomorrow in Kingston, where a national funeral is being prepared for 20 November 2010.
The English ceremony took place today, at All Saints' Church in Harrow Head, where he lived. The Jamaican service, which will take place at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston, will begin with a musical tribute to the Cool Ruler, with artists such as Lloyd Parks, Ken Boothe, Freddie McGregor, Mavado, The Tamlins, Bongo Herman, and others.
Everyone attending is invited to dress in white or black, and to wear a red rose, in reference to his song Red Rose for Gregory. The lying in state will take place the day before.
As the minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange had stated, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is assisting Gregory Isaacs' family with the arrangements. The burial is planned for Dovecot cemetery.
The question of the inheritance could soon become prominent: married in 1987 to a woman from Portland, June-Anne, Gregory Isaacs had been separated from her for seven years but never divorced, remaining on very good terms. Except that Linda, the woman who was at his side in London, has said she married the Cool Ruler in August...