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 15:55 · Joe Sommerlad]

The congregation stands as members of the Franklin family start to take their seats among the central pews.

[31 August 2018 16:03 · Joe Sommerlad]

As more mourners arrive to take their seats, they pass the star's open casket in which she lies in a sparkling full-length gold dress and sequinned heels. Her outfits were changed from one day to the next as she lay in state at the Charles H Wright Museum earlier this week.

[31 August 2018 16:24 · Joe Sommerlad]

As the service prepares to get underway, here's a nice touch from the Welsh Guards, honouring Aretha in their own inimitable style outside of Buckingham Palace in London.

[31 August 2018 16:27 · Joe Sommerlad]

And here's a snap of Reverend Al Sharpton with Jesse Jackson and the NAACP president Derrick Johnson taken before today's service.

[31 August 2018 16:33 · Joe Sommerlad]

As the choir rings out, the lid is closed on Aretha Franklin's coffin, a very emotional moment for the assembled friends and family gathering to say goodbye.

[31 August 2018 16:42 · Joe Sommerlad]

Bishop Charles Ellis III starts the service, joking about the event's programmes ending up on eBay and paying tribute to "a great woman of God", welcoming the pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, Reverend Robert Smith Jr,  who succeeded Aretha's father CL Franklin at that chapel in 1982.

His wife, Greater Grace Temple first lady, Crisette M Ellis, pays her respects to Aretha on behalf of the Motor City.

[31 August 2018 16:43 · Joe Sommerlad]

Dr EL Branch delivers the Prayer of Comfort.

[31 August 2018 16:50 · Joe Sommerlad]

Bishop TD Jakes, Pastor Solomon Kinloch and Bishop PA Brooks will now read from the Old and New Testament and the Psalms in succession.

[31 August 2018 17:01 · Joe Sommerlad]

Country superstar Faith Hill, the first of the celebrity performers, takes to the stage to sing "What A Friend We Have in Jesus".

[31 August 2018 17:19 · Steve Anderson]

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announces his plan to propose that Chene Park, the riverfront park, be renamed Aretha Franklin Park.