The funeral for Whitney Houston now appears to be scheduled for Saturday at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, NJ. While a community leader with ties to the Houston family suggested yesterday the funeral and a public memorial would be held at the Prudential Center, the funeral home arranging the services said today that they would be much more private.
According to the Star-Ledger, "Houston's funeral will be invitation only, [Whigham Funeral Home owner Carolyn] Whigham said, and there will be no wake or public viewing at the Prudential Center. Houston will not be buried in Newark, she said." The Star-Ledger believes that the plans changed late last night. The Prudential Center would have been able to hold almost 20,000 people, while the New Hope church holds about 300. Additionally, "Houston's body was brought to Whigham late Monday night as fans crowded Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to catch a glimpse. The crowd of around 40 sang songs and applauded."
Flags are being flown at half-mast in New Jersey to remember Houston. On Sunday, Governor Christie Tweeted, "Terrible day 4 NJ music w/passing of Whitney Houston. Fellow Mendham resident, she will be missed in NJ & the music world. pray 4 her family."
Update: Mayor Cory Booker said the family asked that the city of Newark not hold any public memorials for Houston.
