Invitation To Whitney's 'Home Going' Service

Whitney Houston's burial ceremony was a "home going service" rather than a funeral, according to the invitation issued to the singer's friends and family.

Featuring a picture of the smiling star that appears to date back to the peak of her success in the early 1990s, the invites states: "With heartfelt gratitude, the Houston family requests the honour of your presence at the home going service for Whitney Elizabeth Houston."

The service took place at the New Hope Baptist Church in the singer's home town of Newark.

Her co-star in the movie The Bodyguard , Kevin Costner, led tributes at the service, with Stevie Wonder , Alicia Keys and R Kelly giving performances in her honour.

Members of Houston's family attended a private viewing for the star on Friday, for which a program was distributed featuring photographs of the singer with some of those closest to her.

They included her daughter Bobbi Kristina, mother Cissy and record mogul Clive Davis.

Although he was reportedly belatedly invited to his ex-wife's funeral, Bobby Brown is not mentioned in the program.