It’s going to be a sad day in music today, when friends, family and fellow artists will join together to say goodbye to singer and actress Whitney Houston. The service has already been labelled a “home-going” ceremony, not a funeral, by those closes to the 48-year-old star who passed away last Saturday – and it will be an emotional send off from those in Whitney’s home town of New Jersey.
The service itself will take place at the New Hope Baptist Church where Whitney used to sing as a child – and it’s thought Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder will both perform at the ceremony, while Whitney’s co-star in The Bodyguard Kevin Costner will give a reading.
Invitations for the day contain a picture of a smiling Whit’ on the front with her eyes closed.
Sources say that Alicia Keys and R Kelly have also been invited to perform. While Jay-Z and Beyonce, Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, David Bowie, Clive Davis, Dionne Warwick and Bill Cosby will all be attending as guests. And even Bobby Brown has been told he can be there to support the couple’s 18-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina.
The service will begin at 12pm Newark time (coverage will begin at about 4pm here) and will be broadcast live on Sky News and online. It’s thought Whitney will then be buried next to her father, John, at the Fair View Cemetery in Westfield.
The outside if the Church is already covered in flowers and candles and lots of fans have arrived in the last week to pay their respects.
Will you be watching Whitney’s funeral this afternoon? Please do come back and leave your thoughts and tributes to the legendary singer here...