Music lovers around the world are feeling the loss of Aretha Franklin, while family members are said to be keeping her fans in mind as they plan funeral arrangements.

Reports say a public viewing will be held at the Charles H.Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. It is the same venue where the viewing for civil rights icon Rosa Parks was held in 2005 and where Franklin was a frequent visitor.

A TMZ report says the iconic performer’s memorial will be open casket, and will be open to the thousands of fans expected to show up to mourn the Queen of Soul. So far, no date has been set.

Aretha Franklin passed away yesterday at her home in Detroit while surrounded by family and friends after living with pancreatic cancer for at least 7 years. She was 76.

Michelle Capobianco at Pancreatic Cancer Canada told Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back with Libby Znaimer the fact Aretha lived so long with this often deadly disease offers hope, and “speaks to her getting some great treatment which is what we at Pancreatic Cancer Canada are trying to promote and encourage people to go to centres that have a high volume of doing the type of surgery that’s necessary for pancreatic cancer. But people do think of it as a death sentence, and it’s scary, and they often don’t want to talk about it or deal with it.”

It was only formally acknowledged on the day of her death that Aretha had been living with pancreatic cancer.

Throughout her nearly 60-year career, Aretha Franklin performed for Queen Elizabeth, prompted tears from Barack Obama, inspired countless artists and fans across the globe and delivered the undeniably impactful anthem with her 1967 hit Respect.