Though calm had returned to the small city of Ferguson , after days of sometimes violent protests, the funeral for Michael Brown will be under heavy surveillance.
It is scheduled for 10:00 am (1500 GMT) in the nearby city of St. Louis, in the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist church, which can seat up to 5,000 people.
The 18-year-old Brown, shot dead August 9 in broad daylight by police officer Darren Wilson, is then to be buried in a private ceremony at the St. Peters cemetery. Brown, just days shy of starting college, was walking down the street after leaving a convenience store where police say he stole a box of cigars, when he was shot by Wilson at least six times.
Brown´s father urged calm on Monday in respect for his son.
“Tomorrow, all I want is peace, while my son is being laid to rest. Can you please, please take a day of silence, so we can lay our son to rest,” he said.
At the funeral, a number of national civil rights leaders were expected, including Al Sharpton.