Whitney Houston's obituary was just released. Some 1,500 seats are available to invited guests at Saturday's funeral service for Whitney Houston at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark and they will be filled with family, friends and stars.
Aretha Franklin has been asked to sing at the service. Others confirmed on the guest list are Chaka Khan, Bebe & CeCe Winans, songwriter Diane Warren, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, pop singer Darlene Love, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Antonio "L.A." Reid, Ray J -- a hip-hop artist said to have dated Houston -- and Brandy, who is Ray J's sister. Houston's cousin, singer Dionne Warwick, was in New Jersey helping the family with funeral arrangements, Warwick's publicist told CNN
Detroit pastor and gospel singer Marvin L. Winans, a longtime friend of the Houston family, will give the eulogy. Asked why no public memorial service was planned, Winans told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Wednesday night the family didn't "want to have a parade."
Fans should not expect to see the parade of stars, either. City streets will be locked down for six square blocks around the church beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio tells NJ.com.
Fans will be able to watch the service, as it is will be made available for television and Web streaming. Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, announced Wednesday that the Associated Press will be allowed a camera at the noon event. The AP will stream the service on http://livestream.com/aplive. The event also will be available to broadcasters via satellite.
Although the family is not commenting on Houston's burial location, her death certificate filed Wednesday in Los Angeles lists it as Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, N.J., according to CNN.
