Whitney Houston was laid to rest Sunday at a private ceremony in New Jersey, her home state. The ceremony took place at a church in Newark where she sang as a little girl. While the family opted for a private funeral, they did allow media cameras to film it – meaning it was broadcast on channels like CNN.
Whintey’s family, friends and costars attended the funeral to celebrate her career, and mourn the loss of such an amazing talent. She was remembered by people like Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Clive Davis and Kevin Costner.
After the ceremony, her body was taken to a nearby cemetery, where she would be laid to rest next to her father, who died in 2003. Fans gathered near the funeral home, and slowly ran alongsie the hearse as it journeyed to Houston’s gravesite.
Here is more of what happened on Sunday:
Bobbi Kristina sat by her grandmother’s side during the 3.5 hour funeral. Shortly after the funeral was over, the 18-year-old went missing. Several sources speculate that she’s on drugs again. “There was some confusion about Bobbi Kristina’s whereabouts last night for a short time, but she’s OK,” a Houston family spokesperson told The Daily Beast on Sunday, adding that drugs were not part of the equation. “She needed some time alone.”
“My daughter Bobbi Kristina is doing much better,” he told ABC News in a new statement late Tuesday. “We continue to provide love and support to Bobbi Kristina. She is dealing with the tragedy of her mother’s death and would prefer to do it outside of the public eye. I ask again that our privacy be respected.” (US Weekly)
There were 1,500 invitations sent out, but Bobbi Brown only got one – for himself. “According to New Jersey paper The Star Ledger, the R&B singer, 43, arrived outside of the New Hope Baptist Church Saturday afternoon with an entourage of nine people in tow, demanding that they all get seats in the front row. The paper adds that Brown himself was allowed in, but he opted to leave with the rest of the people not admitted. “He was allowed to go in, pay his respects and then he had to leave,” a witness tells Us Weekly. “He was red-eyed going up to the casket and then left. He was there for 15 minutes.” A source has told Us that there is still underlying tension between Houston’s relatives and Brown, who married Houston in 1992. Their divorce was finalized in 2007. “There are family members who felt Bobby drove Whitney into drugs,” one source explained. “But now Bobby is clean and Whitney has unfortunately passed. So there’s resentment.” (US Weekly)
After leaving the funeral, Bobbi released a statement: “My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston,” he said, referring to his three kids from previous relationships Landon, 26, La’princia, 11, Robert Jr., 10, plus Cassius, his two-year-old with wife Alicia Etheridge. “We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move. Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi Kristina. In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how.”
Kevin Costner spoke at the funeral. In part, he said: “To you, Bobbi Kristina, and to all those young girls who are dreaming that dream, thinking that maybe they aren’t good enough, I think Whitney would tell you, guard your bodies. And guard the precious miracle of your own life. Then sing your hearts out.” In closing, he got choked up and said, “Off you go Whitney, off you go. Escorted by an army of angels to your heavenly Father. When you sing before him, don’t you worry. You’ll be good enough.”
Whitney’s casket was carried out to “I Will Always Love You”.
R.I.P. Whitney!
Photos: Fame/Flynet
