Aretha Franklin funeral: Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson among 19 performers

Brian McCollum | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Aretha fans pay respects in Detroit, New York A number of Aretha Franklin fans stopped by New Bethel Baptist Church on Friday to pay their respects to the legendary singer who grew up in the Detroit place of worship once headed up by her father. (Aug. 17)

Aretha Franklin's funeral will be a star-studded musical affair: Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Ronald Isley, Chaka Khan and Jennifer Hudson are among the singers who will perform at the Aug. 31 service in Detroit.

Fantasia, Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, the Clark Sisters and Jennifer Holliday are also on tap to perform, Franklin's family announced Thursday. The full list of 19 performers is below.

Franklin's funeral will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 31 at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit. It is expected to draw a host of dignitaries and celebrities from across the entertainment spectrum.

More: Aretha Franklin didn't leave a will; here's what will happen to her estate

Many of the singers enlisted for the funeral were longtime friends and collaborators with Franklin, who died Aug. 16.

Jennifer Hudson, for instance, is the singer-actress handpicked by Franklin for her upcoming biopic.

A post shared by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on Aug 16, 2018 at 11:00am PDT

Faith Hill recorded a duet with Franklin for 2011's "A Woman Falling Out of Love" (though the track did not make the record), while she and husband Tim McGraw have been opening their recent concerts with a cover of "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)."

The choir of angels now have the greatest voice of all time to lead, praise and join in to sing before Jesus. I wanted to share this photo because it shows just how soulful Aretha was without uttering a word. To say I was humbled to be in her presence would be an understatement. pic.twitter.com/R2lxjXwDO8 — Faith Hill (@FaithHill) August 16, 2018

Detroit gospel star Karen Clark-Sheard and R&B veteran Ronald Isley were also duet partners with Franklin on the 2011 album.

Iconic Motown star Stevie Wonder was close to Franklin going back to the 1960s, and he was among the final guests to visit with her in the days before her death at home in Detroit.

Bishop Charles H. Ellis III of Greater Grace will officiate the service, with the Rev. Robert Smith Jr. of Detroit's New Bethel Baptist Church as co-officiant. The eulogy will be delivered by the Rev. Jasper Williams Jr. of Atlanta's Salem Baptist Church.

At this point, the funeral is private, but some public seating ultimately may be made available.

Singers scheduled for Aretha Franklin's funeral

Stevie Wonder

Faith Hill

Ronald Isley

Chaka Khan

Fantasia

Jennifer Hudson

Yolanda Adams

Shirley Caesar

The Clark Sisters

Jennifer Holliday

Tasha Cobbs-Leonard

Marvin Sapp

The Williams Brothers

Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Audrey DuBois Harris

Alice McAllister Tillman

Edward Franklin

Aretha Franklin Orchestra

Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir

Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.