MINNEAPOLIS - Nearly four months after his death, Prince's family gathered in Minneapolis to remember his life.
In an exclusive interview with KARE 11, his family opened up about what the months following the legendary singer's shocking death have been like -- and how they're working to preserve his image.
Learning to live with the pain is tough for Prince's cousin Charles Chazz Smith.
"I've been feeling him these past three months, every single day," he said. "I sometimes go, 'He should be here and I shouldn't be.' I'm 60 years old. He's 57. He should be here playing and grooving."
Smith and the rest of his family, plus a few close friends, came together on Friday to say goodbye in a private service at a church in Minneapolis. They'll continue the weekend's event at Paisley Park in Chanhassen on Saturday afternoon for a private service to honor his legacy.
Friday's ceremony was low key but avoiding the spotlight hasn't been easy.
"People making up all of these stories and especially the dude in prison," Smith said. "You are trying to kill his image. Prince was the kind of dude, if he did have a baby he would’ve taken care of it. You would’ve seen it on a classy level because the man was class. I was proud. I am proud to be his cousin."
An autopsy report revealed Prince died of an accidental overdose of the painkiller Fentanyl. Smith said he hopes his death can help others -- those struggling or those who are in need of help.
"Being free enough to be able to say, I'm not doing well today. I'm in pain. Can you guys help me? Are you going to make fun of me if I tell you that I am in need, I'm hurting?" he said. "That's really a big lesson, that everybody needs to learn."
Smith and his family reached out, in many ways, "in every kind of way you can think of," he said.
"Weren't trying to hurt him, or nothing like that, it all came from love," he said.
So now, instead of dwelling on the past, Smith and his family is looking to the future.
A public tribute for the icon is scheduled for October at U.S. Bank Stadium. Smith said details will be made public at a later time but added, "it is going to be crazy. That is all I am going to tell you."
"I learned another thing from (Prince), don’t disclose everything," Smith said. "He always used to say - don’t show them everything, leave something under your sleeve. Keep them wondering."
