The invitation-only funeral at Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple, which could last five hours, ends a week of events that included high-profile public viewings and tribute concerts.
Bishop Charles Ellis III will lead the service in front of a star-studded congregation.
“It is my goal and my aim to ensure that people leave here with some kind of spiritual awakening,” Bishop Charles said.
“This is not a concert, this is not a show, this is not an awards production. This is a real life that has been lived, that a person regardless of how famous she became no matter how many people she touched around the world, she still could not escape death.
“And hopefully, a lot of people here with money and fame and influence and friends and notoriety and wealth, hopefully they will think of their mortality and say there is something bigger than fame, there is something bigger than Hollywood, something bigger than being a recording artist and selling gold albums or what have you.”
Gospel artist Marvin Sapp, who is among the scheduled performers, said he wanted to celebrate the life of Franklin in front of a global audience.
“I really believe that this … is going to be an eye-opening experience for everybody in the world watching,” he said.
“We really celebrate because we really recognise that those we call the dearly departed, they wouldn’t want for us to cry and be sad and…
… Read More
—
Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.