"Ain't no way" Aretha Franklin's homegoing ceremony would be anything less than fabulous.
For day one of the late "Respect" singer's two-day public viewing, Aretha's body arrived at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in a 1940 two-door Cadillac LaSalle hearse. The vintage ride holds quite a lot of history as it was used to carry the Queen of Soul’s father, Rev. C.L. Franklin, in 1984, Temptations singer David Ruffin in 1991 and civil rights leader Rosa Parks in 2005, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Aretha's grand ceremony didn't end with her queen-like arrival. Her body rests in a 14-karat gold-plated Promethean casket, which has a champagne velvet interior. It also has “Queen of Soul,” and “Aretha Franklin,” embroidered in the casket lining. As for her day-one viewing outfit, Aretha was dressed in head-to-toe red — including, a ruby red dress, custom red earrings, bright red nails and lipstick, and, of course, 5-in, red Christian Louboutin pumps.
"What we wanted to do is be reflective of the Queen," Museum board member Kelly Major Green told the Hollywood Reporter. "It's beautiful. She's beautiful." Adding, "The Queen of Soul is diva to the end."
Aretha passed away on August 16 at her home in Detroit “due to advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type.”
"In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart," her family said in a statement. "We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds."
The statement continued, "We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters, and fans all around the world. Thank you for your compassion and prayers. We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."
Aretha's funeral will be held on Friday (August 31) at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit.
Photo: Getty Images