News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Aretha-Franklin-3-main_article_image.jpg
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File
Entertainment

Aretha Franklin's funeral to be held at Greater Grace Temple

by Cara Bentley

Aretha Franklin's representative Gwendolyn Quinn was quoted by the Associated Press as saying that the funeral at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple and will be limited to her family and friends.

It's the same church at which Franklin sang at Rosa Parks' funeral in 2005. 

Franklin's service will take place at 10am on Friday 31st August but public viewings will take place on 28th and 29th August at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History respectively. 

Her body will be laid at Woodlawn Cemetery along with her father, the preacher Rev CL Franklin, her sisters Carolyn and Erma, her brother Cecil and nephew Thomas.

The current leader of her Father's church, Pastor Robert Smith Jr. told CNN, before news of her death was announced: "No matter where she was, no matter what stage she was on, you're going to know about her church, you're going to know about her father, and you're going to know about her God."

He said Franklin served the church by doing concerts to raise money and wrote "big checks" to help them feed those in need.

Smith added that his early morning Wednesday service - normally attended by about 10 to 12 people - turned into a prayer vigil for Franklin with more than 100 attending.

The singer, who was known as the Queen of Soul, died aged 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Listen to Patti Boulaye, a Christian and singer, speaking to Deanna Fletcher about Aretha Franklin here:

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate