Detroit celebrates the life of Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin will be laid to rest in Detroit, Michigan, USA upon the conclusion of a four-day celebration later this month.

Franklin, who was Detroit’s undisputed homegrown “Queen of Soul,” died last Thursday morning at the age of 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. “Ree Ree” as she was known locally died at home in Detroit surrounded by friends and family.

On Friday night, landmarks like Cobo Hall and the Fox Theatre, marquees and billboards were lit up to honour her. The sporting fraternity also paid their respects. The Detroit Lions football team made an announcement before their preseason opener at Ford Field with the words: “The city and the world had lost a true superstar”. The “superstar” once sung The Star-Spangled Banner.Ford Field on Thanksgiving Day in 2016. Meanwhile The Detroit Tigers baseball team who were playing away in Minneapolis, walked on to the field to Franklin’s most well-known and loved hit: R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Fans and well-wishers may pay their respects at the viewings held in Detroit on 28 and 29 August at the Charles H. Wright Museum for African American History.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, 31st August at Greater Grace Temple for close family and friends only. She will be buried in Woodlawn cemetery, where other members of her family are interred.

Organisers are working on a musical tribute with major recording artists. The venue is still being decided and further details will be released shortly.