Funeral procession plans for Fernandez announced

Public invited to procession, viewing

MIAMI ā€“ As South Florida mourns the loss of Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, funeral procession and viewing plans have been announced.

Fernandez will make his final departure from Marlins Park on Wednesday at 2:16 p.m. Fans looking to view the procession are asked to stand in the west plaza of the stadium.

Free parking will be available for fans gathering at the ballpark.

The procession will leave Marlins Park and travel to Ermita de la CaridadĀ at 3609 S. Miami Ave. for a blessing.

After the blessing, the procession will head to St. Brendan Catholic Church at 8725 SW 32nd St. in Miami, where a public viewing will be held.

The public is invited to the viewing from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Wednesday.

A funeral for Fernandez will be held Thursday but is not open to the public.

His mother, Maritza, was seen leaving her home Tuesday and getting into a limo, followed by a caravan of police officers, likely headed to the funeral home.

A woman believed to be Fernandez's girlfriend, who is pregnant with his first child, was also seen leaving the home.

Meantime, fans continued showing support at the familyā€™s home by leaving flowers, stuffed animals and posters to remember the pitcher.

"Every time we went to the stadium, I can't think of not seeing Jose," Maria Elena Diaz, said. "So I just felt I had to do something and let the family know how grateful we are for his life."

In lieu of flowers, the Fernandez family requests charitable contributions be made to the JDF16 Foundation at the Miami Foundation.

Fans can donate by sending checks to the Miami Foundation or CLICK HERE to donate onlineĀ 

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