Whitney Houston's funeral planned

Whitney Houston's funeral will take place on Saturday.

Her funeral will be held in the church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child, her family choosing to remember her in a private service rather than in a public event at an arena.

The gospel singer Marvin Winans, a Grammy Award winner and longtime Houston family friend, has been chosen to give the eulogy, his son said.

The 48-year-old singer - who was found underwater and unconscious at the Beverly Hilton hotel last weekend (11.02.12) - will be laid to rest at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey at midday local time.

Her body was flown into Teterboro airport on Monday and driven to the Whingham Funeral Home in a gold hearse.

Carolyn Whingham, from the funeral home - which also dealt with the passing of Whitney's father - stated only those with invites would be able to attend the funeral.

She told reporters: "They have shared her for 30 some years with this city, with the state, with the world. This is their time now for their farewell.

"The family thanks all the fans, the friends, and the media, but this time is their private time."

The funeral will be held at noon at New Hope Baptist Church here, which seats up to 1,500 people

Whitney first discovered she could sing at the church as a child, and also learned how to play the piano there.

Her mother Cissy Houston led the music there for many years and her cousin Dionne Warwick also sang as part of its choir.

After an autopsy on Sunday, the authorities said there were no indications of foul play and no obvious signs of trauma on Ms. Houston’s body. It could be weeks, however, before the coroner’s office completes toxicology tests to establish the cause of death.

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