George Jones' funeral will be open to the public

"George would have wanted his fans and friends everywhere to be able to come and pay their respects along with his family," his publicist Kirt Webster said.

The funeral for country singer George Jones, who died Friday morning at age 81, will take place Thursday at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, and will be open to the public.

"George would have wanted his fans and friends everywhere to be able to come and pay their respects along with his family," publicist Kirt Webster said Sunday in a media release.

In the same release, Jones' widow, Nancy, said, "Thanks to George's friends, fans, and loved ones for the outpouring of love at this terrible time. I love you all."

Thursday's service will begin at 10 a.m. Central time. A private visitation for family, friends and fellow performers will take place Wednesday evening. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund.

Jones joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1956. He last performed on the show in October 2010, though he celebrated his 80th birthday there in 2011, as singers including Lee Ann Womack, Jamey Johnson and Joe Diffie performed his songs. The Opry shows over the weekend were dedicated to the late singer, with Brad Paisley, Mel Tillis, Montgomery Gentry and Jason Crabb performing his songs and sharing their memories of him.

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