"A cardboard cut out in a casket?"— Internet reacts as New Orleans second line celebration in honor of Frankie Beverly goes viral 

R&B, soul, and funk singer-songwriter and producer Frankie Beverly passed away on Monday, September 10, at 77. The news was shared by his family via Instagram the day after his demise. The exact cause of his death remains undisclosed at the time of writing.

“He lived his life with pure soul as one would say, and for us, no one did it better. He lived for his music, family, and friends. Love one another as he would want that for us all,” the September 11 post read.

The statement also asked for privacy to let Frankie Beverly’s loved ones grieve a “deeply personal and emotional” loss.

A week after his death, fans across New Orleans, where he spent the majority of his life, took to the streets in his honor and walked as part of a mass second line.

For those unaware, the second line refers to a group of dancers, musicians, and performers who are second-in-line of a traditional New Orleans parade, originally meant for funerals.

The videos of the parade dedicated to the memory of Frankie Beverly, which happened on September 16, have gone viral. It showed hundreds of people wearing all-white attires as they walked, danced, and sang along while carrying a casket with the late musician’s cardboard effigy placed inside.

Amid these now-viral clips, netizens are having varied reactions. For instance, Instagram user @theyallwannasmokehaze commented on the cardboard effigy inside the casket under The Shade Room's post.

A social media user calls out the Frankie Beverly funeral second line. (Image via Instagram)

Many others commented on the video on X and shared similar reactions with respect to the casket setting.

“Wow, they have a casket with a picture of him on the street & dancing with it? More like a weird send-off to me,” a person wrote.

“New Orleans is not a real place, fr. how you give Frankie Beverly a second line AND put a cutout of this man in a clear casket with real pallbearers,” one person wrote.

“Not only did New Orleans have a second line for Frankie Beverly, they had a whole casket,” wrote another.

Others lauded the people of New Orleans for giving the perfect final farewell to the Before I Let Go singer.

“New Orleans really gave Uncle Frankie the second line of a lifetime. You hear me? This city is not a real place—but in the best way,” a netizen wrote.

“I said that New Orleans was going to have a second line for this man because one thing's for sure love our city and we love you back Frankie Beverly has been coming to New Orleans for years you rest in positivity. RIP Frankie Beverly,” another netizen wrote.

“Everybody understood the assignment! This how you come together as a city for a legend,” an individual wrote.

“Well deserved second line because like I said before Mr. Frankie Beverly has been coming to New Orleans for years and he has been at every essence and jazz festival ever hosted in New Orleans. We will miss him dearly now you can rest easy Mr. Frankie Beverly,” another wrote.

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Exploring the significance of New Orleans's second line in the wake of Frankie Beverly’s final send-off

According to NewOrleans.com, a second line is a “quintessential New Orleans art form – a jazz funeral without a body.” It has its roots in the African-American culture, which originally began as neighborhood parades meant to offer “social aid to freed slaves, such as loans and insurance,” as a kind of “advertising.”

Eventually, the second line became more popular as a way to honor the life and legacy of people who died in the community and was included as part of funeral/memorial services. In modern times, it has also been introduced at weddings and other ceremonies, including other notable New Orleans-based celebrations such as French Quarter Fest and Satchmo Summerfest.

As for the expression “second line,” it refers to two lines or sections of a parade. The first one involves a grand marshal or the parade leader alongside a band and the individual being honored or celebrated. This group is followed by whoever wants to be part of the celebration, including extended family, friends, and well-wishers.

New Orleans witnesses thousands of second lines each year and is a popular sight during Sunday afternoons. In the case of funeral second lines, the hearse is transferred from the memorial site to the cemetery, followed by family, friends, and other guests. A jazz band is often a predominant part of it and commemorates the life of the departed.

Frankie Beverly’s funeral second line was organized on Monday by the 6 Ward Steppers Social Aid and Pleasure Club in the city’s Treme neighborhood, 6.30 pm onward.

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In brief, looking at the legacy of Frankie Beverly

Born Howard Stanley Beverly on December 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, Frankie began gospel singing as a boy and eventually formed a cappella group called The Blenders. However, it was short-lived and was soon replaced by another band called The Butlers in the early 1960s, which gained attention with the single If That’s What You Wanted.

However, the group failed to earn recognition in Philadelphia and soon started touring, making stops in San Francisco and New Orleans. The latter proved to be successful as they soon found their roots in the city.

The band underwent a few more name changes, including Raw Soul, until Maze was formed in the 1970s. It dropped iconic soul and funk songs such as Joy And Pain, Before I Let It Go, Back In Stride, Running Away, We Are One, and Happy Feelin’s, among others.

Frankie Beverly continued to cherish his association with New Orleans over the years. In May 2024, he performed at the city’s Smoothie King Center as part of 'The I Wanna Thank You Farewell Tour' in front of a packed stadium in front of 14,000 fans.

He also appeared at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival earlier this year. In July, he was honored at the Caesars Superdome during the Essence Festival of Culture.