Whitney Houston is laid to rest, Bobby Brown asked to leave - How it all happened

Whitney Houston 1963 - 2010

Houston who was found dead in her room last week was flown to New Jersey

Arrival in Newark NJ

On her way to the Church

A picture of the star on the window of her hearse

Mounted police officers in the procession

The home going

Around the church where Houston started singing aged 11

The Reverend Jesse Jackson arrives

More guests arrive to the invitation only funeral

Security was tight

A fan holds up a tribute

Parazzi

A procession of officers

A tribute of balloons, portraits and cards

Another fan feels the loss

The Baptist church where it all took place

Bobbi Brown, Houston's only daughter arrives

Singer, mama Ciccy Houston arrives ahead of guests

RIP Houston

Bobby Brown arrives with nine guests

Bobby Brown looking disraught after he was turned away

Bobby Brown leaves

Brown gets into his car and leaves

A fan scribbles a tribute on a large poster of Houston

The service book for Houston (A Child of God)

The church choir were all dressed in white and gold

Housten 1963 - 2012

Houston takes a bow

With Bobbi in 2011

Houston aged 5

 A weepy Alecia Keys sings

Stevie Wonder sang a new song he made for Houston

Kevin Cosner tried his best to hold back the tears



Tyler Perry giving a speech



Donni McClarken sings at the funeral

Houston laid to rest next to her father in Newark

Dionne Warwich, Houston's cousin was the MC at the funeral

Clive Davies had many good things to say about Houston

The funeral service

Dionne Warwich

 Home Going of Whitney Elizabeth Houston

Last journey

RIP

The streets were packed with military officers and crowds from the town

The gold colour chosen for the funeral symbolized the golden child  - Whitney Houston

A fan waits to show her gratitude

Dignity in life and in death

Sleep well

 NEWARK, N.J. – Whitney Houston was finally laid to rest Saturday after a four-hour invitation-only funeral service for family and friends at the New Hope Baptist Church.


Many famous stars attended including the actor Kevin Costner, filmmaker Tyler Perry, music producer Clive Davis and musicians Stevie Wonder. Alicia Keys and the Winans gathered to pay their respects to Whitney Houston in her hometown of Newark, N.J.

More than 1,500 packed the New Hope Baptist Church for the service that celebrated Houston's life and career. Houston’s cousin Houston's cousin Dionne Warwick presided over the service, introducing speakers and singers and offering short comments about Houston between them. Donnie McClurkin was the first singer to pay tributes to Houston followed by Tyler Perry.

Next on stage were Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, BeBe Winans, CeCe Winans, Reverend Winans and his other children who all sang together. Bishop TD Jakes was also there to give an inspiring eulogy. Aretha Franklin, Houston’s god mother who was too ill to attend sent a message expressing her love for Whitney but was too ill to attend.

Most of the stars talked about how uncertain of Houston washerself, her looks and her talent. Costner remembered his co-star in "The Bodygiard" as a movie star who was unsure of her own fame, who "still wondered, 'am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? Will they like me?' "

"It was the burden that made her great and the part that caused her to stumble in the end," Costner said.

Before the funeral, mourners at the New Hope Baptist Church fell quiet as three police officers escorted Houston's silver casket, draped with white roses and purple lilies. White-robed choir members began to fill the pews on the podium. As the band played softly, the choir sang in a hushed voice, "Whitney, Whitney, Whitney."

"We are here today, hearts broken but yet with God's strength we celebrate the life of Whitney Houston," Rev. Joe A. Carter told the packed church after the choir behind him sang "The Lord is My Shepherd." "Whitney, you are the only woman that could bring all of us together. Whitney, today is your day."

Houston's mother, Cissy Houston and Houston's daughter, 18-year-old Bobbi Kristina, clutched each other in the front of the row surrounded by extended family.

Ray J., Houston’s friend who spent time with her during her last days, broke down crying. His sister, singer Brandy, put her arm around him.

Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Hudson, Robert Flack, Chaka Khan, Rev. Jesse Jackson, actor Lela Rochon, Monica and Jordin Sparks were among the guests at the funeral.

Before her performance, Alicia Keys, wiping tears, called Houston a "beautiful human being," adding, "She's an angel to us. She's been an angel to us."

Houston's producer and longtime mentor Clive Davis then took the podium, saying, "She never took anything for granted ... She was always appreciative."

"Personally all I can say is that I loved her very much," Davis said, calling her "one of a kind." "You wait for a voice like that for a lifetime," he added.

Davis also acknowledged her public battles, adding, "But when I needed her, she was there."

The music mogul talked about meeting with Houston shortly before she died. During that encounter, Houston said, "I'm committed to getting in shape ...I'm sing for two to three hours daily Clive, I'll be ready by August" [when the movie "Sparkle" hits theaters.]

Prior to his performance, Stevie Wonder told the crowd he wanted to praise God "for just allowing me to be alive the same time as Whitney."

He reworked his song, "Ribbon in the Sky," as a dedication for Houston, changing the lyrics from "a ribbon in the sky for our love" to "an angel from God's choir of love."

More music filled the church when R. Kelly, joined by a choir, sang "I Look to You." He was followed by gospel singer and good family friend CeCe Winans, who sang a soulful rendition of "Don't Cry for Me."

Houston's sister gave an emotional speech about the mate and friend and several times had to be consoled by an uncle as she sobbed.

Her body guard of 11 years talked about the bond he had with Houston, "It was more than been just a boss, she was my friend, she was caring and she new all my grandchildren by name..."

Gospel singer and pastor Marvin Winans spoke about faith and priority during his eulogy. He also commended New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's choice to fly flags at half-staff on Saturday.

A program featuring a picture of Houston looking skyward read "Celebrating the life of Whitney Elizabeth Houston, a child of God." Pictures of Houston as a baby, with her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, and daughter, Bobbi Kristina, filled the program.


Her mother Ciccy Houston wrote, "I never told you that when you were born, the Holy Spirit told me that you would not be with me long," Cissy Houston wrote her daughter in a letter published in the program. "And I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years."

"Rest, my baby girl, in peace," the letter ends, signed "mommie."


And a fitting ending to the nearly four-hour-long funeral: Houston's recording of "I Will Always Love You" played while guests left and Houston's casket was removed from the church. Her mother's sobs could be heard throughout the church, and Houston's daughter was crying, too.

Houston's mother was helped by two people on either side of her as she walked in and sat with her granddaughter and other family. Houston's ex-husband, Bobby Brown, briefly appeared at her funeral, walking to the casket, touching it and walking out.