Aretha Franklin funeral: Jennifer Holliday performs as moving ceremony concludes

The ceremony in honour of the late Aretha Franklin has come to an end

Aretha Franklin 'The Queen of Soul' dies aged 76

A memorial service celebrating the life of singer Aretha Franklin took place in Detroit today, where performers, fans, friends and family members joined to pay their respects to the "Queen of Soul".

The legendary singer, known for such anthems as “Respect”, “Natural Woman” and “Say a Little Prayer”, died of pancreatic cancer earlier this month, aged 76.

Icons including Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and Ariana Grande performed at the city's Greater Grace Temple, as well as a host of local gospel musicians, while Bill Clinton, Reverend Jesse Jackson and Smokey Robinson paid tribute to the life of the beloved Aretha Franklin.

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Key Points

• Ariana Grande and Stevie Wonder among performers at Aretha Franklin memorial
• Bill Clinton, Reverend Jesse Jackson and Smokey Robinson offer eulogies
• Star's gold coffin transported in vintage ivory hearse used to lay civil rights heroine Rosa Parks to rest

[31 August 2018 23:29 · Steve Anderson]

Stevie Wonder tells the crowd "we need to make love great again."

[31 August 2018 23:41 · Steve Anderson]

The ceremony is coming to a close as the crowd recites hymns.

[31 August 2018 23:43 · Steve Anderson]

Jennifer Holliday and a choir bring the funeral for Aretha Franklin to conclusion.

[31 August 2018 23:46 · Steve Anderson]

Pallbearers carry the casket holding Franklin out as the crowd capture their final glimpses of the beloved singer.

[31 August 2018 23:52 · Steve Anderson]

This concludes The Independent's live coverage of the funeral for Aretha Franklin. Thank you for following along.