Friends and followers of the late Whitney Houston came together for the makeshift memorial outside of the of the church “The New Hope Baptist Church” in Newark, NJ on Feb. 14, 2012.
Whitney Houston’s funeral will be held at noon on Saturday (Feb. 18) by invitation only at Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church, which seats up to 1,500. No public service will be held. Her family has chosen to remember her in a private service rather than in a large event at an arena.
Funeral home owner Carolyn Whigham said it was the family’s decision to keep the memorial more personal. “They have shared her for 30-some years with the city, with the state, with the world. This is their time now for their farewell,” she said.
“The family thanks all the fans, the friends and the media, but this time is their private time,” she said.
Gov. Chris Christie plans to sign an executive order requesting flags on public buildings in New Jersey to fly at half-staff on the day of Jersey native Whitney Houston's funeral.
“Whitney Houston was an important part of the cultural fabric of this state,” Christie said during a press briefing today. “She was a cultural icon in this state and her accomplishments in her life were a source of great pride for many people in this state and for this state as a whole. On that basis, I think she's entitled to have that recognition made for her.”
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