Funeral Services Being Held For Aretha Franklin

By: Lisa Respers France, CNN

(CNN) -- Recent tributes to Aretha Franklin will culminate Friday in the answer to one question: How do you lay a queen to rest?

The funeral for the "Queen of Soul," who died earlier this month at the age of 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, will take place at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple.

Friday morning, Franklin's open casket was placed at the front of the church as mourners streamed by in advance of the service. Projected on the walls were the words, "A Celebration Fit for The Queen."

Franklin's body was dressed all in gold.

Outside the church lobby, floral arrangements from some of Franklin's best-known friends, including Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross greeted attendees.

The service will touch Franklin's significance to her friends, family and fans, organizers tell CNN. There are musical tributes planned from several artists, including Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia and Jennifer Holliday.

Scheduled remarks from former president Bill Clinton, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Rev. Jesse Jackson signify Franklin's political and social influence. She stood on the frontline of the civil rights movement, where her music served as a frequent anthem.

The presence of Hollywood stars like Tyler Perry and Cicely Tyson, who will also speak, are a nod to Franklin's contributions on screen and off in films like "The Blues Brothers."

Remarks from her grandchildren and an obituary reading by her niece, Sabrina Owens, are planned

Owens told CNN the funeral service itself will pay homage to Franklin's gospel roots and her love of church.

"We knew we wanted to have certain gospel artists like The Williams Brothers and Pastor Shirley Caesar," Owens said. "And there were other people who called us wanting to participate."

Wanting to keep the funeral service private to those closest to Franklin, though it will be streamed and portions broadcast by major networks, her family worked to provide Franklin's many fans an extended opportunity to say goodbye this week, Owens explained.

Viewings earlier this week at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and at Franklin's childhood parish, New Bethel Baptist Church, as well as an all-star tribute concert held Thursday night, were all planned with the public in mind.

Aretha Franklin comes home to New Bethel Baptist Church

Friday's service, however, will feature those who knew and loved Franklin most.

People like her childhood friend, singer Smokey Robinson, who talked to CNN soon after Franklin died about their life-long friendship.

"Aretha was my baby," he said. "We were just cool all of our lives, and we stayed in contact, and we talked all the time up until she was no longer able to do that a few weeks ago," Robinson said on CNN.

Owens said Franklin loved fiercely and served as their family's matriarch.

"We really haven't not had much of an opportunity to have private moments," Owens said. "I know the world lost the 'Queen,' but her sons lost their mother, her nieces and nephews lost their aunt ... we lost a family member and we haven't had a chance to come together as a group to truly realize that we have lost one who loved us so much and was so loyal to us."

Owens added, "It's going to be very difficult after all this is over and people have all gone away."

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