James Brown Laid to Rest in Gold Coffin

Finally the Godfather of Soul is laid to rest, sort of. For more than two months controversy has surrounded the burial site of the late soul singer James Brown, Brown's body was placed in a crypt on Saturday at the home of one of his daughters. It is unlikely that this be his final resting place.

Brown's body had been kept in a secret location during disputes over his estate since his death Dec. 25 at age 73. The body had been kept in a temperature-controlled room at Brown's home in South Carolina in the bronze and gold-plated coffin used for his funeral in Augusta, Georgia, on Dec. 30.

The Rev. Al Sharpton conducted the private ceremony held for family and friends at the home of Deanna Brown Thomas. Also in attendance were Brown's partner, Tomi Rae Hynie, and their young son. While releasing white balloons, Brown's adult children and other family members and friends memorialized Brown as they prayed and sang over the singer's body.

"This is what James wanted, for the family to come together. Everyone really felt like James was there with us,'' Hynie told The Associated Press by phone.

Brown's children used their own money to place his body in the crypt instead of waiting for the legal disputes to be resolved, Rev. Sharpton said ."The children wanted to see their father entombed in a resting place without delay,''

A trustee of his estate of Mr. Brown's said he was disappointed by the service. Arrangements had been made for Brown to be laid to rest at no cost at a "very prominent memorial garden,'' Buddy Dallas said. "Mr. Brown's not deserving of anyone's backyard.''

There are long legal battles ahead between Brown's children, Hynie and Brown's trustees before a planned museum and mausoleum for Brown can be built.

Brown's children are interested in consulting with Elvis Presley's family as to how they transformed his home into Graceland after Presley's death. They would likey do something similar to James Brown's home as well.

The elaborate funerals for the Godfather of Soul held in the days after his death in New York and Georgia were contrasted greatly Saturday's solemn service.