Showbiz
Whitney Houston funeral to take place on Saturday in Newark church
Published Tuesday, Feb 14 2012, 15:32 GMT | By Ryan Love | 14 comments
The funeral for the late Whitney Houston will take place this Saturday (February 18) at noon, it has been confirmed.
The 48-year-old singer died on Saturday (February 11). She was found in the bathtub of her room at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Houston's body was flown to Newark, New Jersey last night and was taken to a funeral home close to the New Hope Baptist Church, where she sang as a child.
The owner of the Whigham Funeral Home is believed to have confirmed the early funeral arrangements.
Early rumours suggested that a more public funeral could be held at the 18,500-seater Prudential Centre. However, it has been claimed that the 'I Will Always Love You' star's mother wanted the service to be held inside the church.
Cissy Houston led the church's music programme for many years, where both Whitney and her cousin Dionne Warwick performed in the choir.
The Beverly Hills Police Department yesterday confirmed that Houston had been discovered unconscious underwater. Lieutenant Mark Rosen said: "As of right now, it's not a criminal investigation. We have concluded our portion of the investigation at the hotel."
Results of an autopsy, completed shortly before her body was flown back to her home city, have been placed in a security hold, pending toxicology results.
> Whitney Houston death: Michael Jackson family call for privacy
> Paul McCartney visits Whitney Houston makeshift memorial in LA
Take a look through our gallery of Whitney Houston's musical achievements below:
The 48-year-old singer died on Saturday (February 11). She was found in the bathtub of her room at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
© Matt Sayles/AP/Press Association Images
Houston's body was flown to Newark, New Jersey last night and was taken to a funeral home close to the New Hope Baptist Church, where she sang as a child.
The owner of the Whigham Funeral Home is believed to have confirmed the early funeral arrangements.
Early rumours suggested that a more public funeral could be held at the 18,500-seater Prudential Centre. However, it has been claimed that the 'I Will Always Love You' star's mother wanted the service to be held inside the church.
Cissy Houston led the church's music programme for many years, where both Whitney and her cousin Dionne Warwick performed in the choir.
© Rex Features / KeystoneUSA-ZUMA
© Rex Features / KeystoneUSA-ZUMA
The Beverly Hills Police Department yesterday confirmed that Houston had been discovered unconscious underwater. Lieutenant Mark Rosen said: "As of right now, it's not a criminal investigation. We have concluded our portion of the investigation at the hotel."
Results of an autopsy, completed shortly before her body was flown back to her home city, have been placed in a security hold, pending toxicology results.
> Whitney Houston death: Michael Jackson family call for privacy
> Paul McCartney visits Whitney Houston makeshift memorial in LA
Take a look through our gallery of Whitney Houston's musical achievements below:
Copyright: LENNOX MCLENDON/AP/Press Association Images
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