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    Mourning From The Ground Up: Aretha's Funeral Is Part Of A Joyful American Tradition

    While it's not wrong to observe decorum and sombre reflection in the wake of such a loss, there's no reason that honoring a life as monumental as Aretha's can't be joyful — and yes, entertaining.
    by Ann Powers Aug 29, 2018 5 minutes
    An impromptu memorial for Aretha Franklin outside New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit — the same church where Franklin's father Rev. C.L. Franklin was a minister and where she began her singing career. Taken Aug. 19, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan.

    The issued a stern directive to fans and would-be Instagram influencers gathering this week to commemorate Aretha Franklin in her hometown. "Remember," admonished staffer (and occasional NPR contributor) Rochelle Riley in, "We will treat this like church." No selfies are allowed with Franklin's gold-plated coffin, as she lay in repose at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and no amateurs posting to YouTube will be admitted to her private funeral on Aug. 31. Riley encouraged her readers to forego thoughts of selling eyewitness accounts to TMZ and focus on the spirit of their very loyal local legend. "That means living up to the best of us and showing Ms. Franklin the respect that she showed Detroit by staying and loving us for so long," she wrote.

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