Aretha Frankin’s family have moved quickly in their choice of location of the singer’s memorial service. The Queen of Soul sadly passed away at her home in Detroit after a battle with pancreatic cancer on Thursday, 16th August. It was only a matter of days after it had been announced that the 76-year-old was gravely ill. The date of 31st August has been set for her funeral.
Now TMZ reports that her family has chosen the location for a memorial service as well as a viewing open to the public. Franklin’s family have opted for The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit city, where Aretha was a regular visitor.
It’s the same building where the public viewing of the civil rights activist, Rosa Parks took place after her death in 2005.
It’s reported that the family decided on the museum because it is able to accommodate the multitude of mourners expected to attend the service. A traditional church wasn’t an option because of the anticipated turnout. Sources close to the family have reported that the service will be an open casket and it goes without saying there will be a lot of singing. As of yet, no date has been confirmed for the service.
Meanwhile, The Blast reports that the Swanson Funeral Home in Detroit has drafted in extra security to ensure that nobody accesses Aretha’s remains while she’s being kept there. Her body was collected from her house and brought to the home by white hearses on Thursday.
Yesterday morning, Friday 17th, Aretha’s ex-husband Glynn Turman, who was married to Franklin from 1978 until 1982, appeared on Good Morning Britain via video link and recounted visiting her during her last days. Saying she was,
“strong to the very end. I was holding her hand at the bedside, holding her wrist, which was now no more than skin and bone, but her pulse was so strong and so, so full of life. Her breathing was such a defiance of what was attacking her, that you got the sense Aretha was fighting all the way.”
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#BlackHistoryMonth 2015 ends tomorrow but #28daysarenotenough. Do you celebrate your heritage? pic.twitter.com/MmYLjeXTki
— Aretha Franklin (@ArethaFranklin) February 27, 2015
“I’m speechless,” Houston journalist Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) posts after visiting @TheWrightMuseum. “The faith, overcoming spirit and perseverance is one-of-a-kind. The more we understand the journey and the evil that created it, the more we can heal” pic.twitter.com/CG5YflnVKz
— Deadline Detroit (@DeadlineDetroit) August 6, 2018
