B.B. King is to be laid to rest in Mississippi.

The 'Rock Me Baby' hitmaker - who was affectionately known as 'The King of the Blues' - will be buried in his hometown of Mississippi after passing away at his home in Las Vegas aged 89 last week.

However, a public viewing and a private service for family members will be held in Las Vegas before his body is sent home.

A message on his official website reads: ''There will be a public viewing on Friday May 22, 2015 from 3pm - 7pm. at the Palm Mortuary West, 1600 South Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89146.''

Matthew Phillips - who manages the mortuary - says that a memorial service will not take place during the viewing but that people will be able to see King's open casket.

The private family funeral is set to take place at 11am on Saturday (23.05.15) at a larger Palm Mortuary chapel in downtown Las Vegas.

King's business agent LaVerne Toney is still making arrangements for the funeral and burial in Indianola, Mississippi next week.

The 'Sweet Black Angel' singer's death was confirmed by his lawyer last week, who revealed the star had passed away in his sleep.

The icon - who was once ranked as the third greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine - enlisted the help of home healthcare earlier this month after suffering with a diabetes-related illness in recent years.