Hundreds of fans line the streets of Detroit to say goodbye to Aretha Franklin as stars arrive for funeral

The body of Aretha Franklin has arrived at a Detroit church for her funeral service.

The 1940 Cadillac LaSalle hearse was greeted by fans who had been lining the streets outside the Greater Grace Temple since dawn.

A former president and award-winning musicians including Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande will pay tribute to Aretha Franklin as the Queen of Soul’s is laid to rest.

The invitation-only funeral could last five hours and ends a week of events that included high-profile public viewings and tribute concerts.

Last night a star-studded concert was held in Detroit with over 40 artists, including Johnny Gill, Patti LaBelle and the Four Top, honouring the legendary singer with musical tributes, including covers of some of Franklin's biggest hits.

The show ended with all performers taking to the stage to sing Franklin's anthem, 'Respect'.

Free tickets for 'A People’s Tribute to the Queen' were snapped up shortly after being released on Monday.

Bishop Charles Ellis III is leading the service in front of a star-studded congregation.

Among those speaking at the funeral are former president Bill Clinton, fellow politician Jesse Jackson and musician Smokey Robinson.

The street outside Greater Grace was lined with pink Cadillacs - a nod to Franklin’s ’80s tune Freeway of Love which featured the car in the lyrics and video.

The 1940 Cadillac LaSalle hearse also took Franklin’s father, legendary minister CL Franklin, and civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks to their final resting places at Woodlawn Cemetery, where the singer will join them.

Gospel artist Marvin Sapp, who is among the scheduled performers at the funeral, 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.

Every song being performed by her funeral was one picked out by Franklin.

Robinson also did not share what he will say, but that is for a different reason.

“I do not plan anything (with) someone I love like that,” Robinson, a Motown great who grew up with Franklin, said. “I love her. She was my longest friend.”

Robinson said he will just make it “personal,” since he remained close with Franklin until the end. He said they “talked all the time,” the last time just a couple weeks before she became too ill to speak.

“We saw all of our other close friends go,” Robinson said. “We used to talk about that — we saw a lot of soldiers go.”

Amid the sadness of these days, Robinson believes Franklin’s legacy is secure. A new generation of singers like Grande who are inspired by the late Queen of Soul is just the beginning.

“There are some girls who haven’t been born yet … who will be inspired by Aretha,” he said.