Whitney Houston funeral takes place in New Jersey

Published Feb 18 2012, 20:52 GMT  |  By Daniel Sperling

Whitney Houston's funeral has taken place in New Jersey.

The late singer was laid to rest in a 'home-going' service at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where Houston used to perform as a child.

Her body was transported from the Whigham Funeral Home, where a private viewing was held last night, in a gold hearse.



The ceremony took place just one week after the 'I Will Always Love You' star was found dead in her Los Angeles hotel room at the age of 48.

As Houston's loved ones, including her daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, and celebrity guests such as Jordin Sparks and Mary J Blige arrived for the service, they were serenaded by a set of jubilant performances by the New Hope Baptist Church choir.

Masses of fans gathered outside the church, despite being warned by local police to stay away and watch the service online.



Tyler Perry was the first celebrity speaker and described Houston as being "candid... open and revealing" in spite of her fame.

"There are two constants that I know about Whitney Houston," he said. "There was a grace that carried her fom heaven... a grace that brought her up through singing. The other thing I know for sure: Whitney Houston loved the Lord."

Kevin Costner, who starred alongside Houston in 1992 film The Bodyguard, told mourners about their shared religious beliefs and his fight to get her in the movie, revealing that he asked for production to be put back so that she could join after touring.



"Whitney returns home today to the place where it all began and I urge us all inside and outside to dry our tears, suspend our sorrow and perhaps our anger just long enough to remember the sweet miracle of Whitney," he said.

"As debate heats up, as it surely will, about who is the greatest singer of this century, as the lists are drawn, they will have little meaning to me if her name is not on it."

Recalling her audition for The Bodyguard, he added: "The Whitney I knew, despite her success and worldwide fame, still wondered: 'Am I good enough?' It was the burden that made her great and the part that caused her to stumble in the end.

"Whitney, you weren't just good enough, you were great... I truly believe you were the only one who could have played [the part] at that time. You weren't just pretty, you were as beautiful as a woman could be and people didn't just like you, Whitney, they loved you."



Houston's mentor Clive Davis said that his "loyal friend" was "never arrogant" but "always grateful and appreciative" during her lifetime.

Recalling a meeting that occurred just four days before her death, Davis revealed that Houston had been planning to launch a comeback in August.

"Well Whitney, I'm gonna hold you to it," he said. "Everyone in heaven, including God, is waiting and I just know you're going to raise the roof like no-one else has done before."

Houston's sister-in-law Patricia Houston, past collaborator Rickey Minor and Dionne Warwick also spoke at the service. Reverend Marvin Winans delivered her final eulogy.

Performances included 'Love's In Need Of Love Today' by Stevie Wonder, 'Send Me An Angel' by Alicia Keys and 'Stand' by Rev. Donnie McClurkin. Towards the end of the funeral, R Kelly covered Houston's 'I Look To You' and CeCe Winans sang 'Don't Cry'.

Houston's coffin was carried out of the church to her 1992 cover version of Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You'.

It has been reported that Houston will be buried next to her father at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey.

A cause of death has yet to been released, as the findings of an autopsy have been put on hold pending toxicology results. A coroner has only said that her body showed "no signs of trauma" or "foul play".

More Whitney Houston coverage:

> Whitney Houston 1963-2012: Reactions
> Whitney Houston 1963-2012: Obituary
> Whitney Houston: A life in pictures
> Whitney Houston: Greatest musical achievements - pictures
> Whitney Houston to dominate singles, album charts next week
> Bobby Brown: "I love you, Whitney"