Fans queued for hours in New York this week to pay their last respects to Luther Vandross, who, as previously reported, died on Friday at the age of 54, two years after suffering from a stroke. Crowds waited for as long as ten hours outside a funeral chapel in Manhattan to view his closed casket, and an alcove nearby decorated with memorabilia and photographs of the legendary soul singer. Music names Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass and Roberta Flack also paid their respects alongside members of Vandross' family.
The viewings, which took place on Wednesday and Thursday, were accompanied on both days by a memorial service. A final memorial service takes place today at the Riverside Church in Manhattan, after which Vandross will be interred at the George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey.