Godfather of Soul unburied 2 weeks after his death

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 | 12:40 PM ET

CBC Arts

The body of soul singer James Brown has been in a sealed casket inside his South Carolina home for more than two weeks as family members and attorneys work out where he is to be buried.

Brown's will has yet to be filed and attorneys are working with his family to settle issues about his estate, including where he will rest.

James Brown's remains have yet to be buried. His casket lay at the Apollo theatre in New York on Dec. 28.
(Frank Franklin II/Associated Press)

The singer died of heart failure Dec. 25 and services to honour his long contribution to American music concluded Dec. 30.

Known as the "Godfather of Soul," Brown is credited with inspiring funk, dance music and hip hop, and influenced a generation of musicians.

His casket is being kept in a temperature-controlled room at the Beech Island, S.C., home, according to Charles Reid, manager of the C.A. Reid Funeral Home in Augusta, Ga.

Brown's four adult children and the trustees of his estate will determine where he is buried, according to attorney Buddy Dallas.

Brown's house was locked within hours of his death to protect his memorabilia, furnishing, clothes and other personal items, Dallas said.

"Just imagine what would have happened," he said. "Items of James Brown would have left there like items off the shelves of Macy's in an after-Christmas sale."

Tomi Rae Hynie, Brown's partner and the mother of his five-year-old son, has asked to be granted access to the home.

"The hope is that all parties can sit down and figure out what the problem is and what the challenges are," Hynie's attorney Thornton Morris said.

"And once we figure out what the challenges are, we'll see if we can't resolve something that's a win for everybody."

Estate negotiations for the legendary singer are being complicated by an ongoing lawsuit by a woman who claims Brown raped her 20 years ago.

A federal court tossed out the lawsuit in August, but the woman said she intends to continue her claim for $106 million US in damages against Brown's estate.