The body of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin on Tuesday arrived at the Detroit's Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for viewing and final goodbyes. The body was delivered in a white Cadillac hearse to the African-American museum in her home town and was set to remain there for two days (Tuesday and Wednesday).
The 76-year-old Soul music legend died of pancreatic cancer on August 16.
On Tuesday, the first day of body viewing, Aretha Franklin was dressed in Christian Louboutin 5-inch patent leather pumps that match a tea-length ruby red dress made of lace – with a full tulle skirt and chiffon overlay.
According to Linda Swanson, executive vice president of Swanson Funeral Home, the dress had beading on the bodice and shoulders, and a boat neck collar with a chiffon bell sleeve. Aretha’s earrings were a custom-designed beaded pair.
Her body is resting in a solid bronze Promethean casket plated in 24-karat gold. The interior is finished with champagne velvet with her tittle “Queen of Soul” and name “Aretha Franklin” embroidered in the casket lining with gold metallic thread.
According to the Telegraph of Britain, the casket is the same type singers James Brown and Michael Jackson were buried in.
Aretha is set to be buried on Friday at the Greater Grace Temple and will be attended by family and friends only. Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson and Stevie Wonder are among those scheduled to perform.
