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Whitney Houston Funeral: Family And Friends Arrive To Say Goodbye

Whitney Houston

The Huffington Post UK/PA   First Posted: 18/02/2012 17:03 Updated: 18/02/2012 17:07

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Whitney Houston's family and friends have arrived for the singer's funeral in Newark, New Jersey.

Some 1,500 guests are attending the private ceremony at the New Hope Baptist Church where Whitney sang as a child.

Ray J - who was believed to have been dating Houston when she died - his sister Brandy and singer Mary J. Blige were some of the first celebrities to arrive at the church.

The service, which begun at 5pm, is being streamed live here.

However, security is tight and police have cordoned off streets surrounding the church, with pockets of fans gathering outside the perimeter.

Earlier a golden hearse was used to transfer Houston's coffin, draped with flowers, from a nearby funeral home to the church.

Kevin Costner, her co-star in the movie blockbuster The Bodyguard, is scheduled to speak, as is Clive Davis, the music mogul responsible for launching and guiding her career.

Her cousin and fellow singer Dionne Warwick will be on the programme, as will friends including Alicia Keys, Tyler Perry and gospel stars Donnie McClurklin, Kim Burrell and Cece Winans.

Ray J, who spent time with Houston in her last days, expressed his devastation over her loss on Friday in a statement. He added: "Nippy, I miss you so much."

Aretha Franklin, who is too sick to attend the ceremony, also remembered her as Nippy and recalled how Whitney used to refer to her as Aunt Ree. "Hard to believe," Franklin wrote.

Houston, 48, was found underwater in a bath by a member of her staff at the Beverly Hilton Hotel last Saturday.

After the funeral, the superstar will be buried beside her father, John Russell Houston, at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, near where she grew up.

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Whitney Houston's family and friends have arrived for the singer's funeral in Newark, New Jersey. Some 1,500 guests are attending the private ceremony at the New Hope Baptist Church where Whitney s...
Whitney Houston's family and friends have arrived for the singer's funeral in Newark, New Jersey. Some 1,500 guests are attending the private ceremony at the New Hope Baptist Church where Whitney s...
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foggymarina
0 Fans
10:08 AM on 02/19/2012
What nasty people there are. Did your mummy never tell you, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all?
She was a real talent and she will be missed. A shame she had a troubled life as well, but we don't know the facts of that, so shouldn't comment. A lady has died, that is sad especially for her family. RIP Whitney. There shouldn't be any more to say......
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jankul456
31 Fans
08:31 PM on 02/18/2012
Whitney Houston lives in our hearts forever. Whitney Houston are a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice.
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Michael Okeje
15 Fans
08:08 PM on 02/18/2012
Goodbye Whitney. Heard she was killed by the illuminati?
http://www.naijabb.com/2012/02/18/was-whitney-killed-by-the-illuminati/
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lilly4
14 Fans
11:43 PM on 02/19/2012
Grow up
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