Type=image;ImageID=14765;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=One of our city's "favourite sons";TitleClass=strong;
Councillor Mattu, who died last week aged 59 after a lengthy illness, will have an official civic funeral which City of Wolverhampton Council is organising alongside his family.
The service will take place at St Peter's Church in the city centre at 11am, followed by a burial at Danescourt Cemetery.
There has been a large outpouring of grief since Councillor Mattu's death was announced and a significant number of mourners are expected to come and pay their respects next Thursday.
With space inside the church limited, the service will be broadcast on a large screen outside.
It is the express wish of Councillor Mattu's family that the service is open to all and they have encouraged as many people as possible to attend.
Mayoress Mrs Asha Mattu, Councillor Mattu's widow, said: "We have been so moved and comforted by the enormous amount of tributes to Elias since he passed away.
"He touched so many lives here in the City of Wolverhampton and further afield. He dedicated his life to public service and making things better for people regardless of their background.
"We are anticipating that many people will wish to come and pay their respects at his funeral. It would mean a great deal to us as a family to see as many people as possible to join us to say farewell to his wonderful man who loved Wolverhampton so much."
Councillor Roger Lawrence, Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "Elias Mattu was a true man of the people, representing the ward where he grew up and remained his home.
"He was a loyal, proud and caring family man who worked tirelessly for our city's diverse communities. People warmed to him because of his natural charm, impeccable manners and of course it was all delivered with that trademark smile.
"Next Thursday our city will come together to remember Elias and say goodbye to someone who will never be forgotten."
A horse and carriage carrying Councillor Mattu's coffin will lead the cortege from his home in Penn Fields into the city centre where it will stop in St Peter's Square outside the Civic Centre where a minute's silence will be observed at approximately 10.30am.
The Mattu family have asked for no flowers and that donations are made to Councillor Mattu's Mayoral charities which are: Acorns Hospice, Street Pastors, Sickle Cell Care, Interfaith Wolverhampton, the Alzheimer's Society and Wolverhampton Central Youth Theatre.
- released: Thursday 1 March, 2018