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 20:53 · Steve Anderson]

Dr William J Barber II asks that the crowd keeps playing Franklin's music, which he refers to as gospel music. 

"Her singing was liberation and revolution." 

[31 August 2018 20:55 · Steve Anderson]

Following the theme of the importance of voting, Dr Barber says Franklin's singing made you want to get up and vote. 

"Aretha told us that respect is non-negotiable." 

[31 August 2018 20:57 · Steve Anderson]

Fantasia Barrino-Taylor takes the stage to laughter from the crowd as she removes her heels before beginning to sing.

Fantasia performs barefoot (Getty) 

The R&B singer recently revealed to Billboard that her first casette was Aretha Franklin. 

[31 August 2018 21:10 · Steve Anderson]

Tyler Perry remembers Franklin with an amusing tribute to the late singer.

[31 August 2018 21:14 · Steve Anderson]

Cicely Tyson, 93, takes the stage in a dramatic funeral hat. 

[31 August 2018 21:25 · Steve Anderson]

The tributes to Franklin continue with record producer Clive Davis, who recalls when the "Queen of Soul" took up ballet as part of her insatiable quest for knowledge. 

"It was wonderful." 

[31 August 2018 21:29 · Steve Anderson]

Davis says: "I will deeply miss that once-in-a-lifetime voice." 

"I will deeply miss my great friend, the ultimate natural woman."

Clive Davis says he will deeply miss Franklin (Getty) 

[31 August 2018 21:30 · Steve Anderson]

Here is a better look at actress Cicely Tyson's hat. 

Cicely Tyson's hat drew praise on social media (Getty) 

[31 August 2018 21:47 · Steve Anderson]

Isaiah Thomas takes the stage.

[31 August 2018 21:50 · Steve Anderson]

The former Detroit Pistons point guard remembers Franklin and his mother sitting together watching him play, and how much those moments meant to him.