Update: Whitney Houston's Funeral Moved to New Hope Baptist Church Saturday
Credit: AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM
Whitney Houston's funeral will be held at noon on Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, both Houston's rep and a Whigham Funeral Home staff member confirmed to Us Weekly Tuesday.
PHOTOS: Whitney Houston's family album
The funeral is by "invitation only" and there will be "no wake." A source adds that "anyone not invited will stand outside."
The 48-year-old Grammy winner's mother, Cissy, "was at the funeral home until 2 a.m." Tuesday, the source tells Us. Dismissing previously reported venues, Cissy "made it clear that a funeral must be inside a church, and the Prudential Center is not an appropriate venue," the source adds.
VIDEO: Whitney Houston (1963-2012)
Houston's body was transported by private jet Monday to Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. It was then taken to Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, where her father, John, was laid to rest in 2003.
The "I Will Always Love You" singer was discovered partially submerged in a bathtub inside her Beverly Hilton hotel room Saturday; paramedics pronounced Houston dead at 3:55 p.m.
PHOTOS: Whitney Houston's career highs and lows
"This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will miss her terribly," the Houston family told Us in a statement. "We appreciate the outpouring of love and support from her fans and friends."
Houston is survived by daughter Bobbi Kristina, 18, and her mother, Cissy.
Tell Us What You Think
15@LaVerne Clifton..... Sorry for the delay in a response, but....Thank you so much!! I read that comment that ''Lady'' left on here and I had a VERY hard time holding back. I was afraid some people would think I was being nasty to her, but look at what she said!! It was pure, simple ignorance! Nothing more. Whitney died.... THAT IS NOT THE TIME to express your dislike for someone!! It was a very immature and ignorant thing to post about a GREAT AMERICAN ICON that passed away. Unfortunately, not everyone was raised as you and I were raised.... they have NO manners and NO consideration of others. One day.... REALITY WILL BITE THAT WOMAN IN THE A$$!!!
@Karen grow up she made mistakes like all humans do she also tried to use her fame for good things like work with veterans charities and mentoring children who show promise as singers as her mother Cissy cousin Dionne Warwick and godmother Aretha Franklin did for her. for those things she deserves to be honored
Karen, we as individuals live on this earth with understanding. And we are learning how to except individuals with all their mistakes and faults etc. Just wait for your children to make a decisions in this life, you are going to be so hurt. Get in touch with reality of what is on this earth. However, you are apart of it too. We will always love you anyway!
We have lost a beautiful voice who now sings with the angels, you will be missed very much here on earth. We love you and rest in peace Whitney.
@Ryan Guisinger in regards to Karen Stine's comment. I commend you. I wanted to tell this lady exactly how I felt. There is no need because you handled your business. What I would like to say is addressed to Bobbi Kristina. "Honey, you had a wonderful mother who loved you dearly. Everytime she looked at you, you could see the love. Because of her love for you, and her love for God it helped her to be strong against horrible people like Karen Stine. Please try to ignore the ignorance, and hatred of people who don't have a clue about love. Your mother is always going to be loved by many people. She brought such joy to our lives. People who loved her prayed for her during the good, and bad times. We all go through things in life, none of us are perfect, some of us would like to believe that we are. Baby girl, I know that this is almost unbearable to handle, and nothing is comforting right now. We are praying for you, and your family. Please trust in God and know that Mom is ok. People can't hurt her anymore with thier harsh words. We love you, and will continue to keep you in our prayers.
@Karen Stine with a comment like that i would say do your research first! yes she did drugs! we all make choices in life that we wish we didnt do. and she realized that. She found God again and learned that what she did was wrong and that she needed to change her life. She was changing her life and yes some of us are luckier than others and well its a tragedy that we lost an ICON!! just remember what goes around comes around. everyone is entitiled to their opinion but we all share one thing... we have a heart! and we need to be compassionate to those in need. its close minded individuals like your self that make hatred so difficult to change! with an attitude like that i would not be surprised if ur kids or grankids became an addict god for bid that they do and you have to deal with that! then lets see where you stand. WHITNEY will always be missed but always remembered! I LOVE YOU WHITNEY!
Karen you can not predict life and I feel sorry for you this is not the time for such none sense. An addiction of drugs is no joke no one likes to have that kind of life. Whitney tried to get off the drugs, it is not like she did not try. Things do happen and you should feel sorry for what has happened especially thinking a bout her daughter. You must be a very selfish woman and your comment does not make sense it seems you are not happy with your life either for you to feel strongly a bout someone you are not even close to. Life can change any time that is one thing you should learn, you might think you are better off but something can happen in your life that changes everything, accidents do happen everyday, you cant predict your future either. Just shout up!
Wow, I looked at Karen Stine's profile.... On her profile under Basic Information, next to ''About Karen'' it says quote.... ''try to do good & see hope & love in every one''. That pretty much makes her a COMPLETE HYPOCRITE!! LOL!!
Well, Karen can't be too ''perfect''. Just look at the message she posted. It's just FULL of mistakes and misspelled words. Apparently, Karen isn't as good as she thinks she is...LOL!!
Karen, you are obviously overlooking the talent this woman had. Yes, she had her problems. But everyone does. When you start being perfect, let me know...so I can learn from you.
Wow@Karen--glad to know your sh*t doesn't stink---it must be hard living on that high horse of yours...wonder what we'd find out if your life was lived under a microscope??? No one is perfect so you might want to watch throwing stones...
KAREN STINE...... Wow, you're IGNORANT!! They are honoring a TRUE STAR. Whitney had more talent than you could ever dream of having.... even with a ''drug problem''!! Quite honestly, her drug issues are none of your business.... that is part of Whitney's private life. You wouldn't like someone to air your dirty laundry on the internet, so why are you making comments about her life? You need to realize that drug addiction is a serious problem. You may want to watch what you say... if you do have kids. In this day and age, you're kids will probably try drugs or become drug addicts at a VERY early age! I honestly feel very sorry for your kids if that's the way you feel. If they ever have ANY issues in life, such as drugs, they obviously SHOULD NOT go to you for guidance. You sound like an absolute HORRIBLE mother!!! You may ''THINK'' you know what your kids do, and where they are, at all times... but you DON'T. YOUR POSTING ON THIS SITE WAS DISGUSTING!! IF YOU WERE TO DIE, IMAGINE HOW YOUR KIDS WOULD FEEL IF THEY READ A POSTING SAYING YOU WERE TRASH, A DRUGGIE AND SHOULD NOT BE HONORED?? WELL, WHITNEY HAS A DAUGHTER AND IT PROVES THAT YOU ARE TRASH TO LEAVE SUCH A POSTING!! GROW UP LADY.... I HARDLY DOUBT YOU'VE BEEN AN ANGEL ALL YOUR LIFE!!
What an awful thing to say Karen. Even if you feel that way, you might want to exercise restraint. Everyone deserves respect....
Karen, you are an idiot! People are human.
What are you Honoring A druggie Movie star & Singer for Bad behavior for years Drugs induced lifestyle I don;t want my kids or grankids to pay homage to that NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO