Photo of Mel King by Séan Alonzo Harris

Livestream is also available Tuesday 4/11 at 11:45am noon on Boston.gov

Watch live TV coverage of the Homegoing Celebration for Melvin “Mel” King on April 11 at 12:00 noon on Xfinity channel 23, Astound channel 83, Verizon FIOS channel 2160 and NECN.

Funeral Service

Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 — 12 o’clock in the afternoon

Union United Methodist Church (485 Columbus Avenue, Boston)

The family invites guests to wear bow ties, as a tribute to Mr. King. 

Due to limited capacity, tickets are required for admission. We have reached capacity, so no more tickets are available.

The service will be livestreamed online and at additional locations (Boston City Hall and the Bruce Bolling Municipal Building).

Public Viewing & Visitation

Monday, April 10th, 2023 —  4pm – 8 pm

Union United Methodist Church (485 Columbus Avenue, Boston)

Witnesses from the community, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Camera and Phone Policy

The King family asks that no cameras or phones be used by guests at any time in the sanctuary. Please respect this request while you are here. 

This applies to both Monday and Tuesday services. 

Media

Tributes

The Bay State Banner, “Mel King was a visionary Boston leader,” Yawu Miller, March 31, 2023.

Boston.com, “‘He showed us the potential of this City on a Hill’: How Mel King is being remembered in Boston,” Dialynn Dwyer, March 29, 2023.

The Boston Globe, “Mel King, whose 1983 mayoral campaign ushered in a new era in Boston race relations, dies at 94,” Mark Feeney,  March 28, 2023.

CommonWealth, “Mel King: A singular Boston sensation,” Michael Jonas, March 29, 2023.

DUSP at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “A Legacy at MIT, in Boston, and Beyond.”

GBH, “Basic Black: Reflecting on the life and legacy of Mel King,” Basic Black, March 31, 2023.

GBH, “Mel King on political action and community activism,” March 29, 2023.

GBH’s Phillip Martin remembering Mel King: ‘He’s leaving a lot behind. But he’s also pushing a lot of things forward,’ March 29, 2023.

Liberation News, “In Memoriam: Melvin “Mel” King, Boston giant and committed fighter for Black liberation,” Rachel Domond, March 29, 2023.

Roxbury Crossing Historical Trust, “Mel King – Visionary,” Rosalyn Delores Elder, September 10, 2022.

WBUR, “Boston activist and politician Mel King, ‘our Nelson Mandela,’ dies at 94,” Max Larkin, March 28, 2023