Hundreds of fans have gathered to pay their respects as Aretha Franklin’s body was put on public display in Detroit.
After she died on 16 August, the 76-year-old was placed in a gold open casket at Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, to lay in state for two days. Her body placed in red, the scene appeared peaceful as mourners slowly passed by – with fans able to tune into a live steam of the public visitations should they not be able to attend the Detroit viewing.
Aretha was surrounded by beautiful floral arrangements in the light-filled atrium, as crying mourners passed behind a velvet rope – with a line extending far back through the doors of the museum. On Tuesday, mourners of the singer lined the streets with signs, flowers and placards, as six pallbearers carried the casket into the museum – the venue in Detroit chosen to reflect Aretha’s contribution to the civil rights movement.
Her body will now lie in state, and fans can view her body before a memorial on Thursday and formal funeral on Friday – which will be attended by close friends and family only. CNN reported many waiting in line claimed a niece of Aretha’s showed up early with burgers, water and t-shirts to thank the fans who were waiting to see their idol one last time this week.
