Aretha Franklin's funeral is a fittingly glamorous 'celebration of life'
Aretha Franklin's funeral is honoring the Queen of Soul with pink Cadillacs and musical tributes galore.
Franklin, who died earlier this month at age 76, is being celebrated Friday in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Mourners have visited the legendary singer at several public viewings this week, including at a Detroit church where her father was a pastor.
Her body arrived at the Greater Grace Temple in a white hearse and gold-plated casket, reports The Associated Press, dressed in a sparkling gold gown and sequined heels. Guests rolled in for the event with signature Franklin style, arriving in 130 pink Cadillacs, a tribute to her song "Freeway of Love."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The funeral, which her family has called a "celebration of life," is scheduled to run into the afternoon, with a six-hour service that will feature performances from Stevie Wonder, Ariana Grande, Chaka Khan, and many other musicians. Attendees applauded as former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton entered the church; the former president will speak, along with Rev. Jesse Jackson and singer Smokey Robinson.
CNN reports that lavish floral arrangements from friends of Franklin's, like Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross, filled the church lobby. The walls of the church, meanwhile, featured a nod to Franklin's enduring legacy with a projection that read "A Celebration Fit for the Queen." Watch a livestream of the event here at The Week.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
The best homes of the year
Feature Featuring a grand turret entrance in New York and built-in glass elevator in Arizona
By The Week Staff Published
-
Nordstrom family, investor to take retail chain private
Speed Read The business will be acquired by members of the family and El Puerto de Liverpool, a Mexican real estate company
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden commutes most federal death sentences
Speed Read The president downgraded the punishment of 37 of 40 prisoners on death row to life in prison without parole
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published