Aretha Franklin's casket just arrived for a public viewing in Detroit -- where the Queen of Soul will lie in state for a couple of days -- and massive lines are already starting to form. Crowds swarmed and lines stretched around the block of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History Tuesday morning to catch a glimpse of Aretha and pay last respects to the legendary singer. Her body was on display in an open casket ... surrounded by a beautiful floral arrangement. We broke the story ... there is going to be a plethora of big music acts performing at Aretha's memorial Thursday, including names like the Four Tops, Ron Isley and many, many others. This is a copy of the program for her funeral service Friday at Greater Grace Temple ... where Stevie Wonder and Jennifer Hudson, among many others, will perform.<doc-sep>SOUL sensation Aretha Franklin is proving she is still a true diva even in death - by wearing a string of fashionable outfits in the run up to her star-studded burial. The funeral home in charge of the Queen of Soul's final farewell has announced the star will don different dresses daily during her very public farewell to fans. 26 Aretha Franklin in her open casket presented in Christian Louboutin five-inch patent heels Credit: AP:Associated Press Aretha died last week at the age of 76 from pancreatic cancer in Detroit, where she began her career as a child singing gospel in the New Bethel Baptist Church choir. Now Linda Swanson of Swanson Funeral Home has revealed her family want the legend's wardrobe to be swapped every day ahead of Friday's service - which will be livestreamed around the world What she will be wearing is a "surprise," Swanson told the Detroit Free Press, but added the outfits clothing will be "just natural changes in wardrobe that a queen would make." The star's body arrived in a shining gold casket at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in her Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday for the start of her two-day public viewing. 26 Franklin will be wearing different dresses everyday in the run up to her funeral Credit: AP:Associated Press 26 People wait in a long line to get the chance to say goodbye to the Queen of Soul Credit: Reuters She was wearing Christian Louboutin five-inch patent leather pumps that match a ruby red dress made of lace - with a full skirt and chiffon overlay. The dress has beading on the bodice and shoulders, and a boat neck collar with a chiffon bell sleeve altered by Swanson, who is also a seamstress. The music legend was also wearing custom-designed beaded earrings. She is resting in a solid bronze Promethean casket plated in 24-carat gold. It is the same type of coffin in which singers James Brown and Michael Jackson were buried. 26 The soul legend was laid out in a gold coffin, wearing a lace-trimmed red suit and surrounded by flowers Credit: Reuters 26 She is resting in a solid bronze Promethean casket plated in 24-carat gold Credit: Reuters 26 The people of Detroit have turned out to say goodbye to the superstar they loved Credit: Reuters The Detroit diva was transported to the museum in a classic white LaSalle Sedan as part of a regal send off. The same Cadillac was used to transport her father, Rev. C.L. Franklin, when he died in July 1984. It was also used to transport Rosa Parks' body when she died in 2005. Her shiny casket - inscribed inside with “The Queen of Soul” in small gold letters - was surrounded by a spray of soft-pink and lavender-coloured roses. The flowers were said to reflect her love for them and her propensity to send arrangements "in grand fashion". 26 A woman holds a a flower made from paper and US currency as she waits to view the body of US singer Credit: EPA 26 Thousands are expected to turn up to pay their regards to the singing legend Credit: Reuters And her legs were said to have been crossed at the ankles, to remember someone who was comfortable with being a strong woman. Franklin reportedly wore red as it is symbolic of her membership in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, which fights for the rights of African American women. Meanwhile its ornamental elements and sheer netting fabric paid homage to something she would wear onstage. Sabrina Owens, Franklin's niece, who was among those organising the event, confirmed the dress was "something she would have selected for herself". 26 The stunning flower display is symbolic as is everything else in the display Credit: AFP or licensors 26 Posters signed by fans of Aretha Franklin sit outside of the Charles H. Wright Museum Credit: Getty Images - Getty She said: "After all she gave to the world, I felt we needed to give her an appropriate send-off that would match her legacy. She loved the city of Detroit and the city of Detroit loved her." Aretha's soaring voice also poured out from loudspeakers outside the museum, stirring fans arriving to pay their respects to sway and sing along and others to weep. Franklin died last week at the age of 76 from pancreatic cancer in Detroit, where she began her career as a child singing gospel in the New Bethel Baptist Church choir. Hundreds of music lovers slept on the sidewalk overnight to ensure they were among the first to say a farewell to the global star. 26 Legions of fans have been queuing up for hours to pay tribute Credit: Getty Images - Getty Officials made mourners put away their cell phones before viewing Aretha and quickly ushered them along. Tammy Gibson, 49, of Chicago said she arrived about 5.30 a.m. She came alone but made fast friends with others who sang and reminisced. Growing up, Gibson said she heard Franklin's music "playing all the time" by her parents, who "told me to go to bed it's an adult party." Outside the museum, she said: "I know people are sad, but it's just celebrating people dancing and singing her music." Indeed, a group of women were singing her hit "Freeway of Love." Franklin had been a constant in Gibson's life. 26 The gold casket carrying Franklin is taken to a resting place where it will be displayed for two days Credit: Reuters Iconic singer Aretha Franklin's legendary hits 26 It has now emerged that the mega-star did not leave a will to her $80m estate Credit: AFP or licensors "I saw the gold-plated casket it dawned on me: She's gone, but her legacy and her music will live on forever." Multiple life-sized posters of her flanked the entrance and exit of the building - which was soon mobbed with fans. Museum board member Kelly Major Green said the goal was to create a dignified and respectful environment akin to a church, the place where Aretha got her start. “What we wanted to do is be reflective of the Queen,” Ms Green said. “It’s beautiful. She’s beautiful.” 26 The singing star will lie in state for two days of public viewing in Detroit Credit: Reuters 26 Aretha was transported to the museum in a 1936 white LaSalle sedan Credit: AFP or licensors 26 Aretha on the set of the movie 'Blues Brothers 2000' Credit: The Hollywood Archive/KGC Photo Agency LLP The high-heel scarlet shoes, in particular, show “The Queen of Soul is diva to the end,” Ms Green said. “She is just iconic. The way she loved and treated individuals, and she always remained down to earth,” said Mary Jones, who wore an"'I love Aretha' t-shirt and made the four-hour drive from Ohio to pay her respects. “It’s unreal that I’m going to get to say goodbye to her now. It’s amazing.” The Wright Museum previously hosted a similar public viewing for civil rights icon Rosa Parks after her 2005 death. Aretha sang at Parks’ funeral and the singer will be entombed in the same cemetery as Parks. 26 A fan sits inside a pink Cadillac parked outside the museum Credit: EPA 26 Aretha's star-studded funeral is set to take place on Friday Credit: Reuters 26 Fans queued overnight to ensure they were among the first to say their farewells Credit: AFP or licensors 26 Aretha at the 2016 White House Correspondents Association Annual Dinner Credit: Alamy It has now emerged that the mega-star did not leave a will - despite having tens of millions stashed in the bank. Court documents show the 'I Say a Little Prayer ' legend had no will at the time of her death, reports US entertainment website TMZ. The singer's four sons - Clarence, Edward, Teddy White Jr. and Kecalf - will now share equally in her estimated $80m estate, in accordance with Michigan state law. Aretha's funeral is due to take place on August 31, at at 10am Eastern Standard Time, which is 3pm in the UK, when her body will be entombed at a family gravesite. 26 The 'Queen of Soul', pictured in the 1960s, is considered one of the greatest singers ever Credit: Alamy Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' (Original Version, 1967) 26 People hold cards with the image of Aretha Franklin as they wait in line Credit: Reuters It will be held at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, Michigan and her body will be entombed at the Woodlawn Cemetery. The funeral will see the legendary artist's family and closest friends say goodbye to the singer in the private event. Former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are also due to attend. More than 100 pink Cadillacs are expected to line up outside the church to pay homage to Franklin's song Freeway of Love, in which she sings about a pink Cadillac. 26 The Queen of Soul will by lying in state for the next two days Credit: AP:Associated Press 26 Aretha's close friend Stevie Wonder is reported to be performing at her funeral service Credit: AP:Associated Press Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Holliday, Jennifer Hudson and Yolanda Adam are set to perform at the service, according to CNN. Others performing are Faith Hill, Chaka Khan, classical artist Audrey DuBois Harris, soprano Alice McAllister Tillman, Franklin's son Edward Franklin, the Aretha Franklin Orchestra and the Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir. Music producer Clive Davis is also planning a tribute concert to honour the legend at New York City's Madison Square Garden in November. 26 Aretha passed away from advanced pancreatic cancer on August 16 Credit: AFP or licensors 26 A fan sheds a tear for the star in her adopted home of Detroit Credit: AFP or licensors MORE ABOUT ARETHA FRANKLIN DEMANDING RESPECT Aretha Franklin’s sons file FOURTH will they claim will split $80M estate 'WHOA!' What to know about Aretha Franklin and Glynn Turman’s wedding SOUL QUEEN Aretha Franklin grew up in 'sex circus', was pregnant at 12 but never found love SOUL SISTER Aretha Franklin's siblings - from younger sister Carolyn to half-sister Carl LOVE ON TOUR All about Aretha Franklin's tour manager and lover Ken Cunningham FAMILY TIES Aretha Franklin's mother and father - Barbara Siggers and C. L. Franklin N-O R-E-S-P-E-C-T Aretha Franklin's family slams National Geographic's new biopic of singer WAR OF WILLS Who is Edward Jordan Sr? Father of Aretha Franklin's first child Clarence IMPORTANT WORK What to know about Aretha Franklin and Martin Luther King Jr's relationship FIRST BORN SON All about Aretha Franklin's first child who she had aged just 12 The singer was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but moved to Detroit when she was five. Rolling Stone magazine recently named her the greatest singer of all time. Aretha’s dazzling music career included classic songs (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman and RESPECT. The mum-of-four died surrounded by loved ones in the town where she grew up, publicist Gwendolyn Quinn announced.<doc-sep>
Aretha Franklin, known for floor-length mink and jewels, is glamorous in life and death. On the first day of a two-day public viewing at Detroit's Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Queen of Soul is wearing Christian Louboutin 5-inch patent leather pumps that match a tea-length ruby red dress made of lace — with a full tulle skirt and chiffon overlay, said Linda Swanson, executive vice president of Swanson Funeral Home. The dress has beading on the bodice and shoulders, and a boat neck collar with a chiffon bell sleeve altered by Swanson, who is also a seamstress. The music legend is wearing custom-designed beaded earrings. Franklin's family selected the ensemble. "She is presented in a way that reflects her life and her legacy," Swanson said. "She is, indeed, resplendent in repose, as a queen should be." The vibrant red signaled Franklin's distinguished status as an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the public service sorority that bade a moving farewell to Franklin with an Omega Omega final rite ceremony in Detroit on Tuesday. She is resting in a solid bronze Promethean casket plated in 24-karat gold. It is the same type of coffin in which singers James Brown and Michael Jackson were buried, according to The Telegraph of Britain. Aretha Franklin dressed in rose gold for final viewing at church Visitation day 2: Powder blue, vendors line up Aretha's funeral will be livestreamed and broadcast on TV Aretha's funeral: List of performers revealed Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members say final farewell to Aretha Franklin The casket is lined with champagne velvet; her name "Aretha Franklin" is embroidered in gold metallic thread with "Queen of Soul" beneath. Funeral arrangements were not directed by Aretha Franklin, Swanson said. "She never talked about death. She was very much all about life." Hundreds of fans lined up to pay their respects from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, a schedule that will continue Wednesday at the museum. The funeral is Friday. O'Neil D. Swanson began Monday at 6 a.m. making preparations to get the 18-time Grammy winner from the funeral home to Midtown Detroit in his vintage 1940 Cadillac LaSalle hearse. He also handled services for his good friend, the Rev. C. L. Franklin. "I go way back with her father," said Swanson, president of Swanson Funeral Home. "He was a close friend of mine. He meant so much to this community." The Swansons talked of feeling honored to know the Franklin family over the years, and earn their trust to coordinate arrangements during this time of grief. Linda Swanson authorized information provided to the Free Press with the Franklin family. Trust is essential during times like these, Swanson said. She disclosed a big secret: Aretha Franklin will wear different clothing in coming days. "It's a surprise," Linda Swanson said. "Just natural changes in wardrobe that a queen would make." Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: phoward@freepress.com or 313-222-6512. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid