WESTFIELD, N.J. — Whitney Houston was laid to rest Sunday at a brief private ceremony in New Jersey, the end of a weekend that saw the pop star's family and friends gather at a star-studded funeral to mourn her loss while celebrating her career.
Fans and onlookers gathered in several places along the route the motorcade took from the Newark funeral home to the cemetery about 20 miles away in Westfield, where Houston was buried next to her father, who died in 2003.
The 48-year-old singer died Feb. 11 in California, hours before she was to attend a pre-Grammy Awards party. No cause of death has been determined.
On Saturday, she was mourned at an invitation-only funeral at the church in Newark where she sang in the choir as a child. She was remembered by the biggest names in the music: Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys sang, and industry mogul Clive Davis was among those who spoke, as was Kevin Costner, Houston's co-star in "The Bodyguard."
The funeral was closed to fans, who were not allowed within blocks of the church. Still, many came to Newark to take part in what ways they could, some from as far as Miami and Washington, D.C.
Fans gathered again near the funeral home Sunday morning, and some even slowly ran alongside the hearse as it began the journey to Houston's gravesite. Several yelled out "We love you, Whitney" as the hearse, which had a black and white headshot of the star in a window, slowly drove away.
Barbara Davis, 53, of Newark, said she had been waiting outside the funeral home since 8:30 a.m., hoping to get a glimpse of Houston's final trip.
"To be here at her home-going is an honor and a blessing," Davis told The Star-Ledger of Newark.
Also among the crowd was Newark resident Eva Aquino and her two granddaughters, ages 10 and 13. All three stood on a street corner as the hearse passed by, and they used cellphones to snap photos of the procession.
The girls were wearing T-shirts and buttons of Houston that their grandmother had bought from vendors outside the funeral home Saturday.
"We came here and bought all these things of her to cherish the memories," said 13-year-old Nalani Velez of Kearny.
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Photos from the scene at Saturday's funeral:
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WESTFIELD, N.J. — Whitney Houston was laid to rest Sunday at a brief private ceremony in New Jersey, the end of a weekend that saw the pop star's family and friends gather at a star-studded fune...
WESTFIELD, N.J. — Whitney Houston was laid to rest Sunday at a brief private ceremony in New Jersey, the end of a weekend that saw the pop star's family and friends gather at a star-studded fune...
Ok so here is my thoughts on this. New Jersey does honor our fallen military personnel. They also honor congress members, W. Cary Edwards, a public servant was also honored, Coretta Scott King, President Gerald R. Ford and Clarence Clemons from the E Street band! Oh before I forget old blue eyes frank sinatra also got this honor! All done under executive orders, part of public records. This website will allow you to see this. http://nj.gov/infobank/circular/eoindex.htm So do me a favor before you jump all over the State of NJ see who else they have honored in this way. A mind is a terrible thing to waste you have the internet because you are responding to be so google things before jumping on the band wagon.
Now my biggest issue with this is that the media failed us by not stating that OTHER non service members have been honored in the fashion. Shame on them
qtpeye46: Ok so here is my thoughts on this. New Jersey
Sometimes the only way to will the pain away is to drink and take pain killers just to get a restful night of sleep. It's difficult to keep the demons out of your mind when you lie awake at night and try to watch mindless television only to try and prevent yourself from falling asleep, because if you do happen to drift off, your mind is unable to rest peacefully due to all the hitc rolling around in your mind. RIP Whitney.
Yikes11: Sometimes the only way to will the pain away is
We we don't REALLY know the cause of Whitney's death...I do know that I will miss her contribution to many lives in her music. I am reminded of another great Jazz singer...Billie Holiday...
Billie Holiday was addicted to heroin. Billie was arrested for being a KNOW user, thrown into jail and even PULLED out of rehab and arrested. We should be mindful of attacking Whitney's personal life or even the results of "pending" toxicology reports.
I'm examining myself...I'm not going to attack and tear down stars (Lindsey Lohan an example) who are faced with these difficult challenges in their personal lives. We tear them down with our tongues and that really forces them into greater danger like depression and continued drug use. We should be telling them that we're pulling for their recovery...just my opinion..
whyworry: We we don't REALLY know the cause of Whitney's death...I
nice statement Why. Proud to be aligned with you Politically too.
People do like to tear down our Stars that die too young or with substance abuse issues.
What people can do is they can write down their concerns to that person's personal manager, whomever. When we go to watch "The Wizard of Oz....we are not thinking "oh that Judy Garland had a drug problem, Or with Marilyn Monroe. Whitney's talent will be her lasting legacy.
As it is with the others.
Fan and faved Why..............your new friend.......Julia.
JuliaDemJules2020: nice statement Why. Proud to be aligned with you Politically
Julia-- You have a great idea there...we should contact their managers and let them know that we are concerned about them, we love them and want to see them come through their difficulties. We only see from the outside. We see glamour and riches, when in reality, they live isolated lives...when they're off stage we don't see the demons they're forced to deal with (Heath Ledger). They want to please us by giving the very best performaces, in order to please us they go into characters that are dangerous...You're right. Whitney's talent will be my greatest memories...
Glad to have you as a new friend Julia...
whyworry: Julia-- You have a great idea there...we should contact their
WHITNEY HOUSTON LIVED LIFE ON HER OWN TERMS. SHE HAD A VOICE THAT WE WILL NEVER SEE AGAIN IN OUR LIFETIME. SHE LOVED HER FAMILY, HER COUNTRY AND HER GOD WITHOUT QUESTION. HOW SHE DIED DOESN'T MATTER. SHE IS GONE AND AS A PERSON WHO HAS A GREAT FAITH, I AM CERTAIN THAT HE WAS WAITING WITH OPEN ARMS TO RECEIVE WHITNEY TO JOIN HIS CHOIR OF ANGELS. THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE IN GOD, KNOW HE IS A SUPREME BEING, RIGHT? SURELY, HE'D WANT HER LEADING HIS CHOIR, RIGHT? AT LEAST THAT'S MY THINKING.
mtknibbesr: WHITNEY HOUSTON LIVED LIFE ON HER OWN TERMS. SHE HAD
Whitney Houston's death should not be criticized by those who are claiming she kill herself, and so God's hand is not opening to receiving her.
as a matter of fact she served as great entertainment for millions around the world. remember not to judge anyone, cause you will be judge by Him who has the ultimate power to judge.
rest in peace Whitney, your memory will live forever in our hearts. we pray God's guarding hands upon Kristina Bobbi Brown. Sleep forever in peace till we all meet.
William_Fensuar: Whitney Houston's death should not be criticized by those who
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02/19/12 03:03 PM ET Associated Press