Thousands Line Up to View Aretha Franklin in Golden Casket

Today marks the first of four days of public viewings in Detroit, MI, for Aretha Franklin who passed away on August 16 at her Detroit apartment after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Thousands of mourners queued in long lines that stretched around the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History where the Queen of Soul lay in repose in a golden casket.

Aretha is dressed in a red gown accessorized with red high heel pumps. Her casket is surrounded by hundreds of bouquets of pink, purple, and yellow roses.

Mourners are traveling from thousands of miles away to view the great soul singer whose classic songs formed the soundtrack of their lives.

"I think it's incredibly significant -- she is being honored almost like a queen at one of the most important black museums in the United States," said Paula Marie Seniors, an associate professor of Africana studies at Virginia Tech.

The funeral will be held Friday, August 31, at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple, where dozens of stars are expected to perform, including Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Ronald Isley, Chaka Khan, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson and Yolanda Adams. The funeral is closed to the public.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Aude Guerrucci-Pool/Getty Images

  • Trey

    looks nice and elegant...a lil gaudy

  • pecancandy

    Rest Easy! Diva till the very end!

  • TheWildChild
  • Trace da Ace

    RIP....to a amazing woman with amazing talent.

  • Li-Wright

    76 is a damn good age to live. She outlived all her siblings and some of the big names in rock & soul. She also carried a lot of "load" taking care of her family. I don't think Aretha took a vacation, did she? You see Bey and all going to Italy on the yachts having a vacation. I don't think Aretha took time out.

  • HelloToni

    Aretha is an entertainer....and her burial is an indication of her lifestyle.

  • FukkFolks2018

    They got my queen foots crossed

  • FukkFolks2018

    Ugh

  • FukkFolks2018

    Disqus being a whole ass.

    Faith Hill/ Love Faith but this the wrong yt lady for this job.

    Where is Kelly Clarkson? *goes to see where Kelly's fat white ass is*

  • Alextra Ballard

    Yasssss Chile!

  • FukkFolks2018

    She was extra gaudy so it fits perfectly

  • SpillyNillie

    I'm loving that gold casket. Rest Queen!

  • SpillyNillie

    *goes to see where Kelly's fat white ass is*
    __________________________________
    I screeched!

  • tia

    Wow, this service will surely be fit for a "QUEEN"; a real one.
    Rest easy auntie Aretha and well done my QUEEN!!

  • WhoKnew

    Looks like a homegoing service for a Queen. Rest on Re Re! Fly high and soar to the heavens! Wish I could see the full view of her.

  • FukkFolks2018

    I see she was sanging at the US Open yesterday and folks are petioning her to be next Super Bowl Performer. I guess she is busy. I also see she is not all that fat. Right now. Might be back to 350 lbs by Super Bowl tho.

  • Alextra Ballard

    *Sangin*Till I come back to you,,,This what um gonna do...Gon Queen!
    Kick yo heels up!!!!

  • HelloToni

    Yesss! That part! And the hearse...love it!

  • Alextra Ballard

    You and I both

  • Coy little wink

    Very fitting...only thing missing is the chinchilla ?

  • Miss Thang

    James Brown and Michael Jackson had gold caskets too :)

  • Yoni7

    STAWP IT, SIS! RIGHT NOW!

  • Trace da Ace

    lmao!!!! damn.....not fat white ass tho...LMBAO!!!

  • Music

    I’m sure she did. She just didn’t post it, and was private about it. Plus, Aretha didn’t fly.

  • Yoni7

    This is about to be the meme of the century.

    Rest well, Miss Aretha.

  • Trace da Ace

    I did not think that folks did "full body" viewing.. with feets and all...this is the first time I have ever seen it.....wish I can see her face....that is the true test...cause funeral homes be having folks looking crazy!! I hope they did her justice!!!

  • Yoni7

    That pic is about to be the meme for the nine-nines and the REST OF the 2000's.

  • Yoni7

    I did not think that folks did "full body" viewing...this is the first time I have ever seen it
    _____________
    They did for our Minister of Music after he passed. ........AND THEY CHANGED HIS CLOTHES for his FINAL viewing. Bay-bee. I WAS OUTDONE! LOL

  • FukkFolks2018

    I will never forget when @Man said her and Jessica Simpson looked like they had been eating straight butter sandwiches.

  • FukkFolks2018

    I have seen full body. But for someone who died of cancer two weeks ago I am sure this is a feat.

  • Yoni7

    Where is HE at??!! I promise he might be in here under a different handle. LOL

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    She was missing all kinds of notes when the background music died down.

    I had planned to stay up to watch Serena play but I didn't want to sit through the rest of that horrid preshow.

  • FukkFolks2018

    We would KNOW if Man was in here.could be tho. Every damn Monica post would be a Chicken emoji dead in the middle of her name *hot tears*

  • FukkFolks2018

    Kelly cant SING anymore? SAY THIS ISNT SO

  • FukkFolks2018

    PETA wants em donated. Fukk em. I hope they drape all of her furs 'cross that casket and toss em in with her.

    https://www.clickondetroit.com/entertainment/aretha-franklin/peta-asks-aretha-franklins-estate-to-donate-fur-coat-collection

  • TMW

    To your corner ma’am. NOW! ???

  • Connie

    He did Kelly Rowland so bad, had horse head in the milla of her name too, but was in love with Kim K...miss that ninja

  • FukkFolks2018

    LAWD. He thought Kim was everything. Got so mad when I said she was a thief bc she stole'd that money from Brandy nem mama Ms. Sonja. GOOD TIMES.

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    She couldn't last night.

  • FukkFolks2018

    She did not outlive all her sibs. Carolyn been gone since the late 80s, Erma since the early 2000s, dont know where the other sister whose mama was 12 is. Vaughn still kicking it. Pic of him the other day. So sad. he the last one.

  • TMW

    I knew Swanson’s was handling the arrangements as soon as I saw that. Old man Swanson handles the dignitaries directly and he does the most!!

  • Connie

    I remma dat...*crine* Was it him who folks use to mess with bout his kitten heels or height adjuster shoes?

  • Solstice
  • FukkFolks2018

    I take this back. Only the lil sis still here. Vaughn Jr was on the pic yesterday

  • FukkFolks2018

    Naw she might be really unable. She might have nodules like Mimi. Goodness. I LOVED Kelly. Shew

  • Carmen Harrison Johnson

    Full Body Viewing is still done here in Atlanta and the CHANGING OF CLOTHES are done as well if the Family request it

  • KcoolMuziq
  • FukkFolks2018

    wtf is for lunch Roses? I got a doctor's appointment and I gotta fast and I caint eat til around 230 (cries endlessly)

  • Alextra Ballard

    I shol hope you ain been fasting since midnite!

  • Rayne

    She looks beautiful ?

  • pecancandy

    Lil dizzy cafe! Gumbo, red beans and rice, fried chicken, bread pudding.

  • Renee26

    The crossed ankles and red heels showing... Truly diva style...she'd be so proud

  • FukkFolks2018

    I dont eat breakfast anyways...just coffee... but I DO eat my lunch right at 11 am every day. *hold meh*

  • Tlowe89

    I’m sorry but what does donating the furs do??? At the end of the day the animal is still dead... he’ll let Aretha be buried with her furs and the rest let the fam have or sell them. I’m sure PETA gone sale them

  • SunRiseBlossom

    I wonder why they taking so long to bury her?! But I must say... the legs crossed and red pumps is DIVA!!! #RIP

  • Tlowe89

    Chile... only kings and queens get the gold

  • Trace da Ace

    jerk chicken and cabbage.....sooo good.....you got anything good for lunch?

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    That was my question when they announced the dates of the various services.

  • Trace da Ace

    awww lawdy!!! For real?? Like how do you do that?? I mean they are all stiff from the embalming fluid and such...sounds very tedious and shit.....

  • disqus_DxKO3ThTGI

    Just back from my lunch break and saw the mile long line to see the Queen. Detroit showed up and showed out. Helicopters and a lot of Police out here.....The song that brings tears to my eyes is......"It hurts like hell" from the Waiting to Exhale Movie........Because it does................RIH Queen...............

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    donated for what?! it's not like they can be returned to the original owner... FOH!

  • FukkFolks2018

    I got food so as SOON as they take this blood I can eat. Cause BAY-BEE

  • FukkFolks2018

    Quits you for the return of the furs to their original animal owners.

  • It’s Real Talk! Period!!

    Probably bcuz of her friend Otis Redding!

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    rotisserie chicken salad on a mini french roll (hole on Shug, you only got 'bout an hour to go)

  • Connie

    Dang!...I got the same thing except no french roll

  • Alextra Ballard

    Girrrl, I've been there. The longest I've been NPO was until 12:30. You will make it! Good luck!

  • FukkFolks2018

    She developed it after a REAL bad flight in the early 80s. She probably DID think she was gonna end up like poor Otis. She was working on overcoming it tho so she could finally go back to Europe and Asia to tour. *sads*

  • Miss Thang

    because she is touring! like James Brown! People need to pay their respects.

  • FukkFolks2018

    This is CRAZY bc I made some chicken salad Sunday night, for my fam to have lunch this week. The source? two left over rotisserie chickens we got from Sam's Club

  • SunRiseBlossom

    I love that song!!! Her voice was PERFECT for it

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    yaaassssss! i belee it was Ty who mentioned the clicking of his kitten heels across the floor, LOL!!!

    then he had that 'big shoe' in his gravi ....i'm 'bout to get tickled, smh

  • SunRiseBlossom

    Ok! I guess...

  • Miss Thang

    they will sell them and put the profits toward animal shelters. I think it's a noble cause.

  • FukkFolks2018

    Most ironic part of that soundtrack is Patti on there too. My Love Sweet Love.

  • Renee26

    ?

  • garrisonville

    Fit enough for a Queen. Love the red heels & crossed feet. She def went out in Diva style! RIP Queen.

  • FukkFolks2018

    I dont but I will upvote anyways. they are BULLIES over folks choices.

  • Miss Thang

    lmaooooo he had a wardrobe change?? omg i love my people so much.

  • datjerk

    Imma need my family to set me up similar to this when I go on to glory.

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!
  • datjerk

    Basically

  • Faithz

    Home going Celebration Just like A QUEEN,,,
    For a QUEEN RIP.

  • Alextra Ballard

    Even in death,it's on The Queens time!

  • disqus_DxKO3ThTGI

    I forgot about that.......wow

  • disqus_DxKO3ThTGI

    I get chills when the music drop and she starts bellowing out the sound..............

  • SunRiseBlossom

    YYYEEESSS!!!! It's so mellow...

  • FukkFolks2018

    My cousin's wife sung herself down the aisle to that song. I love both songs. That was one of the best soundtracks of the 90s

  • SunRiseBlossom

    Did Aretha and Patti have beef with each other?

  • FukkFolks2018

    Yes

  • FukkFolks2018

    I take that back. Aretha had beef with Patti.

  • It’s Real Talk! Period!!

    Thanks for the info!

  • SunRiseBlossom

    Oh Wow... I did not know that! What was the beef about?

  • FukkFolks2018

    Nobody knows. Most suspect dick as the culprit.

  • disqus_DxKO3ThTGI

    No argument here. I just got finished listening to it/crying. That was around the time I had 3 deaths of people very close to me. So not only do I love the song, when I hear it does bring those memories along with my love for the song......

  • SunRiseBlossom

    I wonder what Fantasia is going to sing... That heffa is BADD!!!

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    LOL!

    i'm half joking, but not about the FOH part... they are bought and paid for... her property. she may want to pass them on to family, gosh!

    i guess i'm just tired of folks begging (and yes, i do give, generously, but selectively and on my own terms, so pre-GTFOMF 'cause i called it 'begging')

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    Willy Watkins doing it?

  • SunRiseBlossom

    Help Us Lord... Lol!!!

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!
  • Strappyheels

    Red dress and ALL!!!

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    *faints*

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    pray child! ROFL!

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    I got a lil choked up this a.m. just catching a glimpse of them rolling her into the church, smh

  • Yoni7

    YES HE DID! So him! SOOOOO HIM!

  • ~~eb

    That was dinner last night! I meal prepped it for the week!

  • Yoni7

    He was DA MAN! So they made it happen! What's the saying......"....and it was done." LOL To know him, is to know that it wasn't such a surprise. Just not totally expected.....but then again, to know him....you could see it happening. LOL

  • Yoni7

    LOL

  • Yoni7

    I'm sure. But I don't live in Atlanta. LOL

  • Yoni7

    RIGGGGGHHHHHHTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!! And didn't he LOVE Rihanna?!!

  • Yoni7

    RIGHT! LMAOOOOOO

  • Yoni7

    Yes. Yes!

  • Yoni7

    Or burn'em.

  • http://sandrarose.com SandraRose

    Some people are so sensitive. In some cultures the passing of a loved one is celebrated.

  • Yoni7

    THIIIIIIISSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE Patti! Re-RE was DEAD wrong for this!

  • ShadesofEMPRESS

    Yes she is.

  • Yoni7

    What done happened?

  • RICHIE_RICH

    Ain’t the it... a red pump and cross

  • LYRICS

    My, my, my! There's is NO one like Queen Aretha! I just love how neither woman spoke on it though........that means it's SERIOUS!!!

  • Juliaquan C Spain

    The Queen she is....R.I.P.

  • ShadesofEMPRESS

    RIP to this beautiful devastating DIVA. I love Aretha and her shade was priceless.

  • Trace da Ace

    damn the shade was real.....Areatha snatched her whole arm back and kept it pushing...lol

  • Solstice

    Honay!! She either effed with you or she didn’t. ? I love Ms. Patti too! Aretha reminds me of ALL my Auntie’s from the D. Smh ?? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ea0ffe6b7a92fc63b507f0b569273db94a7f747a0b6a264b39f1654700154122.gif

  • Trace da Ace

    lmao!!! Yes....I hate when they make you fast....I be starving like Marvin.....mad cause I smell other folks food and shit and be wondering what they eating.....lol

  • Solstice

    LMFAO!! Dub I cannot stand you at times ?????

  • sunni_daze

    They gonna dig that casket up.

  • Li-Wright

    Vaughn her step brother is dead. According to the book Respect, he's dead. There is no other sister. Erma, Carolyn, Clarence and Aretha. if there's another sister, she's illegitimate.

  • Kim’s Original Face

    Beautiful ?? Timeless beauty! The world lost a treasure, rest in Queen your work has been done ??

  • Solstice

    They may put her in a mausoleum. Those are sealed and harder to get into.

  • Solstice

    Yes. I saw her once at Essence in 2012. And she stated that she and her orchestra indeed came via her tour bus. I remember wondering why didn’t she just fly? That’s a long ass drive.

  • Yoni7

    LMAOOOOOOOOOO NOT THIS GIF!!! LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I am SO WEAK RIGHT NOW!

  • Solstice

    Wow I didn’t know that.

  • sunni_daze

    Hopefully, because if she goes in the dirt that casket coming out

  • Yoni7

    James Brown wasn't on tour tho'. They just propped his ass up til they could "sort out some thangs". IJS

  • Solstice

    ?????!! Chile!! Classic ??? Girl you know I’m “special”

  • Yoni7

    VERY! LMAOOOO

  • Yoni7

    Where are yall seeing all of this stuff. Wait, I don't watch TV and am not on social media very much anymore. Let me head over to IG. Any particular folks I should look into? LOL

  • Solstice

    ?? Olive juice! All of ya’ll. At least we know the happy pills are working ? ?????

  • Solstice

    Detroit press. I believe it’s trending in news

  • Yoni7

    Cool. Thanks.

  • Kanyade

    the ? has me ?

  • Solstice

    Am I wrong?? ? I may just logout.? My caseworker is coming for a home visit anyway.…??? ?? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5995e84eb0d61ab3df14924c47e67a8193f48322d5131d220b16e8d78b6cb1ea.jpg

  • Solstice

    ????

  • Solstice

    Especially in the D. Maybe she’ll be buried in Grosse Point. ??

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    i saw it either on CNN or msnbc (or maybe local news)

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    ain't no beef, like old lady beef, LOL!!!!

  • Solstice

    Girl the elders held onto those grudges!

  • Solstice

    I wish they would have put Brother Fred Hammond on the list. ?

  • Rahab

    I wouldn't mind going to pay my respects. It's a long weekend. Be outside the funeral like Jaheim.

    I stood line to view Harold Washington. I was young and times were different.

  • imright

    i think its really strange to attend a strangers funeral

  • cherrypie

    Lmaoooooooooooooooooooo!!!! RiRi like guuuurllll dont touch me!!

  • datjerk

    Do you?

  • datjerk

    I can not wait

  • datjerk

    Of course. If Shorty Lo can pull up to the strip club one last time, anything is possible.

  • Yoni7

    YOU?!!??! YASSSSS!!!!

  • Yoni7

    Neither of which I watch. Matter of fact, thanks. I have to pay my DirectTeebee bill.

  • Yoni7

    You WILL BE haunted tah-night. May you have sweet dreams or a beautiful nightmare. LMAOOO

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    fiercely! my father's eldest cousin got into a fight with the pastor's girlfriend (they were all in their 70s/80s at the time, smh)

  • Alextra Ballard

    Huh?!?! I'd agree....if I don't know you,I wouldn't attend your funeral. However these are The Queen hometown peeps and loyal "Fans"

  • Dee

    I Neva seen peoples feet in a casket Go Ree Ree?

  • Alextra Ballard

    True...they celebrate and party hard. Thats why they c all it a "HomeGoing" They celebrate the persons life. They sit byke,laugh and reflect.

  • Sdot33

    RIP

  • Solstice

    Me smiling at James Brown dancing during my nightmare ????

  • Solstice

    IKR maybe she got an email? ?

  • Solstice

    Me either! I’ve only seen half open and unfortunately closed caskets ?

  • Lady_Elle

    RIP... to the Queen of Soul.
    This looks fitting for a Queen.

  • Lady_Elle

    No dirt will touch this casket!

  • Lady_Elle

    Absolutely BADD!!!

  • Lady_Elle

    The crossed feet makes the difference.
    I have never seen such...
    I guess this was fitting of a Queen.

  • sunni_daze

    You're right. Because they gonna snatch it before it touches the dirt.

  • Solstice

    so pre-GTFOMF
    ^^^^^^^^**
    This is why I am Rose!! LMFAO!!!! ???? I’ve only had to gather 2 people ever, my 1st time was this year. It brought me joy being able to finally use this acronym! ?

  • Lady_Elle

    You have me salivating over here!
    I love a good chicken salad! :-)

  • Toni Toni Toni

    LMAO, LAWD, NOT THE "D". Chile.. I guess Aretha Meant business about her man.

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    nawl Shug?! you don't even bother folks on here! i guess they had to learn they had the wrong one huh, LOL!

  • datjerk

    Girl..

  • SunRiseBlossom

    Lol!!!

  • SunRiseBlossom

    LMBO!!!!!!!

  • Evillene

    Harold Washington was a statesman and public servant. Completely appropriate for his viewing and funeral to be attended by folks that did not know him personally.

  • Evillene

    Enough beef to feed a starving nation.

  • Rahab

    ReRe is the Queen. Don't know if the red is for the glam or the glory. Teehee hee

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!

    Did you say DEAD wrong for real????????
    #demerit

  • Oya Shango

    I hope they do not bury her in shoes. That's a no no.

  • Yoni7

    No pun intended......but I ain't changing it. LOL

  • Applebum

    The nicest casket I’ve ever seen. I love gold. Rest In Peace.

    People die everyday. This whole thing is idol worshipping. No thanks.

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lo6u-UIbo Nancy Drew-Natural & Luv’n It!
  • LYRICS

    U ain't NEVER lied! Asking my Jamaican granny why she doesn't like "Ms. Dorthy", is like trying to wake a hibernating bear. I get a grunt, and a moan, then I get a " I just don't like har!" "Har" being "her" in patois...lol!

  • SunRiseBlossom

    HOLLERING!!!!!!!!!!!!