Teen Jahi McMath honored by family, friends at funeral in Oakland

Wednesday, July 4, 2018
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Jahi McMath, who lived nearly five years after being declared brain dead, will be laid to rest in Hayward on Friday.

Dozens of family members, friends and other mourners filed into a church in Oakland for her funeral service.



Bishop Bob Jackson of Oakland's All Acts Full Gospel Church called the service McMath a "celebration of a miracle."
RELATED: Oakland girl at center of brain death debate has died after surgery

In December 2013, McMath underwent a tonsillectomy at Children's Hospital and she suffered a heart attack during recovery.

Her family refused to accept the brain dead diagnosis and took her to New Jersey, where the 17-year-old teen died last month from liver failure.

VIDEO: Jahi McMath's family speaks at press conference in Oakland

VIDEO: Jahi McMath's family speaks after Oakland teen's death


And then New Jersey doctors declared Mcmath dead a week ago, saying she died from excessive bleeding after an abdominal operation.

A California coroner issued a death certificate for the girl more than four years ago after doctors say she suffered irreversible brain damage during surgery to remove her tonsils.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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