How to stream Roberta Flack's 'Celebration of Life' memorial? Everything you need to know

Roberta Flack will be honored with a special memorial service on Monday, following her passing last month at the age of 88.

Roberta is loved for timeless hits like The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly with His Song. She was one of the defining voices of the 1970s. Her music brought soul, jazz, and folk genres together.

In tribute to her life and artistry, a 'Celebration of Life' memorial will be held in New York City, AP reports. The event will be open to the public and live-streamed for those who wish to pay their respects virtually.

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Where and when is the Roberta Flack memorial?

The Celebration of Life for Roberta Flack will take place at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York on Monday at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, AP reports. The venue is of significance for the singer, as Roberta Flack’s musical career began in the church.

Her mother was an organist at Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Church in Virginia, and as a teenager, Roberta used to accompany the choir on piano.

For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed on Roberta Flack’s official website: www.RobertaFlack.com. This will allow fans from around the world to honor her memory from their homes.

When Clint Eastwood featured the singer's 1969 song 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' in his 1971 film 'Play Misty for Me,' her breakthrough happened. It became a hit, topping the Billboard charts and earning her a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

Another significant moment in her career came with 'Killing Me Softly with His Song.' The track was inspired by Lori Lieberman’s reaction to a Don McLean performance, Variety reports.

Roberta’s version of the song was released in 1973. It won back-to-back Grammys for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The song was later revived by The Fugees in the 1990s.

Her collaborations with Donny Hathaway include 'Where Is the Love' and 'The Closer I Get to You.' These songs were also significant milestones in her career, believe many. These songs became one of the most beloved duets in R&B and soul music history.

Forbes reports that after Roberta Flack’s death, her music has seen a resurgence in both streaming and digital sales. According to Luminate, her catalog’s on-demand streams have soared from 1 million to over 5.4 million, which is a 440% increase.

Among her biggest gainers are:

• The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face saw a 5,000% increase in digital sales, with 5,900 new purchases.
• Killing Me Softly with His Song became the most streamed song in her catalog, growing 220% to 1.3 million plays.
• The Closer I Get to You climbed 244% in streaming, showing renewed interest in her duets.

Roberta Flack’s classics are also re-entering the Billboard charts. 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' topped the R&B Digital Song Sales Chart. On the other hand, 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' secured high spots across multiple rankings, reports Forbes.