One of the mourners at today's funeral for Michael Brown says she went there to ``pray for the family and pray for peace.'' Angela Pierce, a black woman, says she hopes the funeral turns a page and eases tensions. But most important, she says, she hopes it provides healing for Brown's family.

As people filed into a church sanctuary in St. Louis, poster-sized photos of Brown were on display near the casket, along with another photo of him as a small child.

Brown's father has asked for a break in the protests that followed the fatal shooting of the black 18-year-old by a white police officer. This morning, it appeared that his request was being honored. At the Ferguson Police Department, where a small but steady group of protesters has stood vigil for two weeks, a handmade sign announced a ``break for funeral.''

Among those attending the funeral was Will Acklin, a black man from Little Rock, Arkansas. He says that as a child, he was ``pushed by police, mistreated by police, cursed by police'' -- even though he was a ``good kid.'' He says he felt ``compelled'' to attend today's funeral and to show his respects.

The funeral at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis began with upbeat music punctuated by clapping and even some dancing. Relatives recalled Brown as a gentle soul with a deep and growing faith in Christianity.

His cousin, Eric Davis, urged those in attendance to go to the polls and push for change. He told the crowd: ``We have had enough of the senseless killings.''

Brown's uncle, Bernard Ewing, recalled Brown as a ``big guy, but a kind, gentle soul.''

The Rev. Al Sharpton says the country needs to come to terms with the fact that something is wrong in America, in the wake of the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Sharpton delivered the eulogy at Brown's funeral Monday in St. Louis.

Sharpton told thousands of mourners that something is wrong when money is provided to give military equipment to police, but there isn't enough money for public schools. He called Brown's death a seminal moment in the country.

Sharpton also said police officers who are wrong need to be dealt with.

A grand jury is deciding whether the officer who shot Brown, Darren Wilson, will face criminal charges. The Justice Department also is investigating.

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