Rosa L. Parks Freedom Chapel Honors Civil Rights Legacy

Rosa Parks, known as the 'mother of the civil rights movement,' was honored with a funeral service that reflected her profound impact on American society. The service took place at the Greater Grace Temple Church in Detroit and lasted for seven hours, allowing thousands of mourners to pay their respects. Parks lay in repose at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History prior to the service, which was attended by dignitaries, family, and supporters. Following the ceremony, an honor guard from the Michigan National Guard draped the U.S. flag over her casket, symbolizing her contributions to the nation. The procession to the cemetery was marked by public displays of affection, as attendees clapped, cheered, and released white balloons in her memory. Parks was interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit, specifically in the chapel's mausoleum, where she rests between her husband and mother. In recognition of her legacy, the chapel was renamed the Rosa L. Parks Freedom Chapel. This renaming serves as a lasting tribute to her role in the fight for civil rights and social justice, inspiring future generations to continue the struggle for equality. Parks' life and work remain a testament to the power of individual action in the face of systemic injustice, and her funeral was a reflection of the respect and admiration she garnered throughout her life.