The official program for Aretha Franklin’s funeral service has been released and the almost six-hour event will be full of tributes to the Queen of Soul.
The service will be the last event after a four-day celebration of the icon’s life. The events included two days where the public could visit Franklin’s body laying in repose, and a tribute concert.
The Queen of Soul’s funeral will start at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit. The event, which is only open to family and friends, will include prayers, bible readings, remarks from political dignitaries, along with personal remarks from friends and musical legends. It will also feature musical selections that would be the envy of any stage.
The funeral includes an all-star lineup of performers like Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia and Shirley Caesar.
Also slated to perform are Ron Isley, Chaka Khan, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, the Clark Sisters, Jennifer Holliday and Franklin’s son, Edward Franklin.
Confirmed speakers so far include former President Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Clive Davis.The Rev. Jasper Williams Jr., pastor of Atlanta’s Salem Baptist Church, will deliver the eulogy.
The funeral is scheduled to end at 3 p.m. but could very likely run longer.
The Friday service will be made available for viewing live online and on television. It will also be live-streamed on the official ESSENCE Facebook page and on ESSENCE.com.
Read the full program below:
