Whitney houston funeral | whitney houston dead | Whitney Houston's funeral

Whitney houston funeral - A close friend of Whitney Houston's family may have said it best: They would have loved her, even if she couldn't sing. In addition to her family, those expected to celebrate Houston's life at New Hope Baptist Church will include entertainment mogul Tyler Perry; "The Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin; Grammy Award winner Stevie Wonder; and Academy Award winner Kevin Costner.

Houston's family will be comforted by neighbors and fellow church members in what the family is calling a "home going" service, according to the funeral invitation that features a photo of a smiling Houston.

Friday night, Franklin paid tribute to Houston at a Radio City Music Hall concert in New York.

The Houston family opted to forgo a public memorial service. There will not be a customary funeral procession, Newark police Director Samuel DiMaio said Thursday. Houston's family and her body will arrive at an undisclosed time, he said.

Houston leaves behind an 18-year-old daughter, Bobbi Christina Brown; her mother, Cissy; brothers; a cousin; and a host of relatives and friends.

Cissy Houston and Bobbi Christina attended a private viewing Friday, accompanied by producer Clive Davis, a longtime mentor of the singer.

Born in 1963 in Newark, Houston had musical greatness in her blood.
Cissy Houston is a gospel great and cousin Dionne Warwick was a successful pop singer. Franklin is a close family friend.

As the story goes, Davis spotted Houston in 1983 in a New York nightclub performing and signed her on the spot. Houston released her debut album, "Whitney Houston," in February 1985 to wide acclaim.

Pastor Winans' brother, Benjamin "BeBe" Winans, said his sister, CeCe, will perform "Don't Cry for Me" at Saturday's service.

Houston performed the song in many countries, Winans told A.J. Hammer of HLN's "Showbiz Tonight."

The song is about life, loss and hope.

"My death was meant to be
Don't carry guilt or shame
The reason why I came soon you'll see.
Don't cry for me"

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