Whitney Houston's Funeral; Family Prepares Services For Singer

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NEWARK, N.J. — Whitney Houston's funeral will be held Saturday in the church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child, her family choosing to remember her in a private service rather than in a large event at an arena.

The owner of the Whigham Funeral Home said Tuesday that the funeral will be held at noon at Newark's New Hope Baptist Church, which seats up to 1,500 people. Gospel singer Marvin Winans, a Grammy Award winner and longtime family friend, has been chosen to give the eulogy, his son said.

The family said no public memorial service is planned. Officials had discussed the possibility of holding a memorial at the Prudential Center, a major sports and entertainment venue that can seat about 18,000 people, but the funeral home said it had been ruled out.

Funeral home owner Carolyn Whigham said the church service will be by invitation only, reflecting the family's decision to keep the memorial more personal.

"They have shared her for 30-some years with the city, with the state, with the world. This is their time now for their farewell," she said.

"The family thanks all the fans, the friends and the media, but this time is their private time," she said.

Houston, 48, died Saturday at a hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., just hours before she was set to perform at producer Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Awards bash. Officials say she was underwater and apparently unconscious when she was pulled from a bathtub.

After an autopsy Sunday, authorities said there were no indications of foul play and no obvious signs of trauma on Houston. It could be weeks, however, before the coroner's office completes toxicology tests to establish the cause of death.

Los Angeles County coroner's assistant chief Ed Winter said bottles of prescription medicine were found in the room. He would not give details except to say: "There weren't a lot of prescription bottles. You probably have just as many prescription bottles in your medicine cabinet."

Houston's body was returned to New Jersey late Monday.

Houston was born in Newark and was raised in nearby East Orange. She began singing as a child at New Hope Baptist Church, where her mother, Grammy-winning gospel singer Cissy Houston, led the music program for many years. Her cousin singer Dionne Warwick also sang in its choir.

Houston's family asked Tuesday that any donations in her memory be sent to the arts-focused public school that she attended as a child and that was named after her in the late 1990s.

In lieu of flowers, they said mourners should donate to the Whitney Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts in East Orange, a school serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Houston attended the school as a girl when it was named the Franklin School and was a regular visitor for many years afterward. On Monday, students held an outdoor service in her memory.

An impromptu memorial for Houston was held Sunday during a sadness-tinged Grammys, with Jennifer Hudson saluting her memory with a performance of "I Will Always Love You." Viewership for the awards show soared over last year by 50 percent, with about 40 million viewers tuning in to the program on CBS.

On Tuesday, a steady stream of well-wishers continued to stop at the New Hope Baptist Church, where the front fence was adorned with dozens of flowers, balloons and oversized cards, some with hundreds of signatures and condolences written on them.

Several people expressed disappointment that a public memorial had not been scheduled. But they also said they understood why the funeral was being kept private.

"Maybe at some point down the road, they might do something," said B.J. Frazier, of East Orange, who said she had performed as a singer with one of Houston's aunts. "But it's like they're saying today, they shared her for a long time and they just want her to themselves for now."

Gov. Chris Christie ordered flags flown at half-staff Saturday at state government buildings, describing Houston as a "cultural icon" who belongs in the same category of New Jersey music history as Frank Sinatra, Count Basie and Bruce Springsteen.

"Her accomplishments were a great source of pride for the people of the state," he said.

Houston, a sensation from her first album, was one of the world's best-selling artists from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, turning out such hits as "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," "How Will I Know," "The Greatest Love of All" and "I Will Always Love You." But as she struggled with drugs, her majestic voice became raspy and she couldn't hit the high notes.

Houston left behind one child, 18-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, from her marriage to singer Bobby Brown.

Winans, in his role as a pastor, married Houston and Brown. The Winans and Houston families have been friends for years, and Houston performed with Winans' siblings CeCe and BeBe, members of one of gospel music's first families.

Winans' office at Perfecting Faith Church in Detroit and his son, Marvin Jr., confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday he will eulogize Houston.

Houston was especially close to CeCe and BeBe Winans and performed with both. She and CeCe sang "Count on Me," for the movie "Waiting to Exhale," in which Houston starred.

___

AP Entertainment Writer Lynn Elber in Los Angeles and AP Music Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody in New York contributed to this report.

Fans remember Whitney in Los Angeles.

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HUFFPOST SUPER USER

JumpStreet1983

You don't see a U-Haul behind a hearse!

77 Fans

07:40 PM on 02/15/2012

Whitney Elizabeth Houston, all I have to say is this: many people will continue to sing "The Star Spangled Banner", but the 1991 version which you perfected has set the bar so impossibly high that it will NEVER be topped. You set the standard for it. Many singers have tried to reach that bar, but none have made it. That version will be in the history books for all time, and our children will know what vocal excellence you blessed us with. You had struggles, yes, but your true spirit always shone through. Your music was truly the greatest love of all for many hearts all over this world. The void you have left in the music industry is unimaginable, but the legacy you left is extraordinary.

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lucy88lucy

use your brain

133 Fans

08:47 AM on 02/15/2012

Selfish, self absorbed and self destructive.
Who cares anymore?

Adonijah

My micro-bio is trying to secure a Swiss Bank Acct

461 Fans

05:09 PM on 02/15/2012

Millions

@Who cares anymore?

nancestef

I started with nothing & still have most of it.

594 Fans

08:29 AM on 02/15/2012

Flags at half-staff for Whitney Houston? What branch of the service did she serve in?

If I were a veteran, I would be steamed about this.

dwill123

flexing the "golden pipes" on the day's issues

519 Fans

08:48 AM on 02/15/2012

Funny I didn't see you complain when Governor Christie ordered the flag lowered to half-staff for Clarence Clemons, a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street band.

10:23 AM on 02/15/2012

I didn't know about it. I feel the same way. about

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05:10 PM on 02/15/2012

Wow! What a great honor.

@Flags at half-staff for Whitney Houston?

Cintimcmomma

Motorcycle momma in Cin

73 Fans

03:04 AM on 02/15/2012

For the fans who so desparately want closure and a memorial service, know you have Whitney through the various vessels one can seek in cds, videos, YouTube, etc. Select a source to connect with Whtitney and have your own personal memorial anytime you want. My prayers go up to her family and friends. Let's respect their need for privacy.

05:11 PM on 02/15/2012

Agree!

mater

418 Fans

05:13 PM on 02/15/2012

100% agree.

AngryHarpy

I dwell in possibility.

727 Fans

02:17 AM on 02/15/2012

The family is right, they did share her with the world for 30 years. I'm sure Whitney loved her fans, but she loved her family most. And her family loved Whitney most. Let them have a private service. It's so much more dignified.

That horrible church plans to protest. I have a feeling this is going to really backfire on them.

reno1190

236 Fans

08:50 AM on 02/15/2012

they better do it 10 blocks away newark residents won't tolerate that foolishness

05:12 PM on 02/15/2012

LOL!!!

I know that's right.

OMG RU Serious

9 Fans

02:02 AM on 02/15/2012

Condolences to Whitney's mom, daughter & family.

I wish them peace and strength to deal with this horrible event.

I applaud her mom for having the wherewithall to rally against the popular choice (18,000 people really??? as if only 18,000 would show up...It. Would. Be. A. Circus.) and give her daughter a proper home going service & burial ONCE so that they may begin the healing process which in and of itself is going to be heartbreaking and difficult.

CASnyder

108 Fans

02:01 AM on 02/15/2012

I hope the Arts school is ready for this, they are about to get flooded with $. Looks like there is quite a pile of flowers etc around the church already before the announcement of the preferred memorial came out - maybe the local hospitals & nursing homes & orphanages will benefit too. A small private ceremony of up to 1500 people by invitation only - sounds like that's going to keep a lot of folks working hard! Good thing the Grammy's ended up being something of a memorial, sounds like the hardcore fans are going to have to wait a bit for something more.

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CANTHATBE

633 Fans

01:47 AM on 02/15/2012

Can't believe they are not having anything public. The fans need something too, a sense of closure.

wcapp

61 Fans

01:42 AM on 02/15/2012

A very classy and dignified decision on behalf of Whitney, but when everything settles I'm sure there will be some type of memorialservice to help give her fans closure. A lot of people cared about and were pulling for Whitney. I hope her family thinks about that also.

overcat

My micro-bio is so full, it's bursting at the seam

184 Fans

01:25 AM on 02/15/2012

Even if a decedent is a famous person the family still deserves privacy. I know a few members of the extended Houston family, I went to school with them - to the public Whitney Houston is an icon, some sort of public property. To the family - the Houstons, the Warricks, she's a cousin, a niece, a daughter. I've been through family funerals - it's tough to imagine a family funeral that TOTAL STRANGERS turn into a three ring circus.

Leave the Houstons and the Warricks alone.

HKR07

846 Fans

You mean Warwicks...you must know how to spell the name if you know the family, right?

rongbeech

14 Fans

02:33 AM on 02/15/2012

And YOU must know, she was born "Warrkick", not "Warwick". Lay off.

02:34 AM on 02/15/2012

Sorry. Make that "Warrick".

05:14 PM on 02/15/2012

@overcat

I totally agree!!!!

sabrinalilypup

peace I give you and peace I leave to you

200 Fans

01:22 AM on 02/15/2012

CONDOLENCES AND SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF WHITNEY HOUSTON.

01:53 AM on 02/15/2012

Yes. I really am tired of the tabloid TV and paper focus on the most sordid aspects of her life. Have some respect for her and her family. Yes, she had her problems which brought her to this, but I choose to remember a woman who was among the brightest of stars in the music business, respected and loved for the uniqueness of her craft. As Gladys Knight said, you could tell her voice from the first note.

05:18 PM on 02/15/2012

I am with you!!!

The Media "tries" to be slick. When 1st happened.....they were singing her praises. Focusing on the positive/s Then by day 2 or so....they started being what we all know them to be...VULTURES.

sm1lewis

Known for my common sense approach on issues

15 Fans

01:08 AM on 02/15/2012

I know a lot of people are saying a lot of things about how Whitney lived her life....But the storm is over now, no more heartache, no more heartbreak.... no more fears, no more tears, no more sleepless nights, no more worrying about tomorrow...God has sent his Angels of mercy for his child and God don't make no mistakes for God is not mocked...we all have to leave here one of these old days...and death comes like a thief in the night...no one knows the day nor the hour...so just pray for her family...because when we send our prayers up...Blessing flow down.

01:56 AM on 02/15/2012

I choose to celebrate her beauty, golden voice and her homegirl roots in Jersey. She never forgot family or her home town.

05:19 PM on 02/15/2012

@sm1lewis

Excellent post!

ScorpioTop

345 Fans

12:56 AM on 02/15/2012

I understand the family want a private funeral. They deserve the privacy. They should understand the world needs to grieve, just as we had when Princess Diana died. A separate memorial for the world would be welcome.

calijohn2

65 Fans

01:45 AM on 02/15/2012

then you do it

Right decision. Privacy is important now.

05:20 PM on 02/15/2012

YES!

hfpf

Wake up World.

119 Fans

12:55 AM on 02/15/2012

A wise choice.

AnneTally

tea parties are for little girls

1798 Fans

12:31 AM on 02/15/2012

I'm glad she's finally getting some privacy.

01:55 AM on 02/15/2012

But the funeral is for the fans and the family. She is way to big not to have a service for the fans who also loved her music. The Jacksons had it right, best service ever that gave some closure to the fans also.

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Gin1234

I am not fond of republicans.

2399 Fans

10:25 AM on 02/15/2012

Not the best service ever.. The Jackson show was outrageous. Why can't you just mourn her by listening to her music, and doing it privately. I really don't understand the need for a huge splashy show.