Whitney Houston’s funeral: family, friends and fans gather to say goodbye

Whitney Houston's funeral will take place in New Jersey today and be broadcast worldwide.

The memorial service at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where Whitney sang in the gospel choir as a child, is invitation-only, but fans can watch online and on TV.

The late singer's famous friends and family will speak and perform at the service, including Whitney's cousin Dionne Warwick, godmother Aretha Franklin and The Bodyguard co-star Kevin Costner.

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Whitney's mentor Clive Davis will also take part, as will Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder and Tyler Perry, whose private jet flew Whitney's body from Los Angeles to Newark at the beginning of the week.

Other guests rumoured to attend include Beyonce, Jay-Z, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby and Elton John.

Members of Whitney's family, including Bobbi Kristina, Cissy Houston and Dionne Warwick, attended a private viewing at Whigham funeral home on Friday.

There had been a question about whether Whitney's ex-husband, Bobby Brown would be invited to the funeral, but it is now reported he will attend. He has spoken about how he wants to support their 18-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

It is thought Whitney will be buried next to her father's grave at the Fairview cemetery in Westfield.

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Whitney's reported on-off boyfriend, Ray J caught a flight from LAX to New Jersey on Friday with his singer sister, Brandy.

The 31-year-old record producer released a statement on Friday to say: "Over the past few days, I've tried to process the emptiness that I am experiencing. What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words. The world lost an icon, but I lost my close friend."

He added: "Nippy, I miss you so much! You were so happy and full of love. Your smile will live in my heart forever."

Mourners have left cards, candles, balloons and flowers outside the Whigham funeral home, and have signed a condolence book. Small shrines have been created at Whitney's elementary school.

Thousands of fans are expected to line the streets to pay their respects in person. Police reportedly plan to block the streets near the church and are urging fans to stay at home.

The funeral is taking place one week after Whitney died in the bath in her hotel room in Los Angeles. The cause of death will not be known until results of toxicology tests are released.

The service starts at 12 noon local time (5pm GMT) and will be live streamed on the Associated Press website at http://www.livestream.com/aplive.

UK viewers can watch the service on Sky News online, TV or on the iPad. Coverage starts at 4pm. The ceremony will also be streamed on the BBC News website.