Whitney Houston's body arrives home in N.J.

The body of Whitney Houston arrives at Whigham Funeral Home, in Newark, N.J., Feb. 13, 2012. / AP Photo/Rich Schultz

NEWARK, N.J. - A hearse under heavy police escort arrived late Monday at a funeral home officials said was handling the arrangements for late pop star Whitney Houston.

The hearse traveled from Teterboro Airport, where officials had told The Associated Press Houston's body would arrive Monday night on a flight from the Los Angeles area.

Several officials familiar with funeral planning said arrangements were being made by Newark's Whigham Funeral Home, which handled the 2003 funeral of Houston's father. They spoke to the AP on Monday on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak for Houston's family.

Houston died Saturday at a hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. She was 48. Officials say she was apparently unconscious when she was pulled from a bathtub.

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A woman at the funeral home, where several police officers were stationed, said she could neither confirm nor deny reports that it would handle Houston's arrangements. A white tent was set up leading into the funeral home's rear entrance, and two opulent golden sarcophaguses stood at the front entrance.

Dozens of Houston fans went to the funeral home, where they played her songs, sang, lit candles to remember her and hoped to get a glimpse of her casket.

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Remembering Whitney

Houston was born in Newark and was raised in nearby East Orange. Her family raised the possibility of holding a wake Thursday and a funeral Friday at Newark's Prudential Center, which hosts college and professional sporting events and seats about 18,000 people. City officials were awaiting the family's arrival to complete the funeral planning.

A picture of Houston appeared Monday night on the electronic board outside the arena, one of the nation's busiest entertainment venues, with a New Jersey Devils game Friday night posing a logistical challenge to a planned funeral that day.

Houston's relatives also were debating whether to have a smaller service at New Hope Baptist Church, where family members have sung. They planned to meet Tuesday with officials to finalize the details, according to someone who had knowledge of the planning but wasn't authorized to speak publicly about it and requested anonymity.

Houston began singing as a child at New Hope Baptist Church, where her mother, Grammy-winning gospel singer Cissy Houston, led the music program for many years. Her cousin singer Dionne Warwick also sang in its choir.

60 Photos

Whitney Houston 1963-2012

On Monday, mourners left flowers, balloons and candles for Houston at the wrought-iron fence around the tall brick church, which sits near the edge of an abandoned housing project near the train line leading to New York City.

"She was an inspiration to everybody," said Gregory Hanks, an actor who grew up in the neighborhood and who dropped off a bouquet of flowers.

Hanks said he saw Houston perform at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center years ago.

"I grew up listening to her as a little boy, and to hear her sing, you knew she was special," the 26-year-old said.

Sandy Farrow, a technology consultant from Mitchellville, Md., who was in the area visiting relatives, said she was a senior at Clifford J. Scott High School in East Orange when Houston was a freshman.

"We felt like she put East Orange on the map," she said.

Farrow said Houston's death came as a shock.

"We lost somebody who I thought, after all her troubles, was coming back," Farrow said.

Across the street from the church, Bashir Rasheed set up shop with a duffel bag full of T-shirts reading "In Memory of Whitney Houston 1963-2012." He said he had sold 24 shirts at $10 apiece within a few hours.

[jwilsonte]

Please have her funeral and get it over Just another drunk drug addict singer had all things in life but seen none!!!Sad but she is what she is a LOSER!!!

[varigdc10]

Whitney Houston is not a hero by any stretch of the imagination, she was simply a good entertainer nothing more , nothing less. As such I feel sorry for her daughter and immediate family, no one else. I feel she was a human being just like all of us who felt pain, and sorrow, and happiness, and tragically died , RIP, sweetie.

[Lawforce]

"Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell." William Shakespeare, Macbeth IV, iii, 22. Whitney Houston's light shined brightest. Her golden voice, stunning countenance and transcendent spirit were Gifts from on High for all the Ages. Curse thee Dark Spirit of addiction back to the Pit of Hell from whence thou camest to take our Angel from us. She now is safe with Him in Whom she trusted. She knows Peace. Cursed Evil One, you have lost her and so have we, but her songs remain to show us the way, brighten our lives and lighten our souls. Indeed, we will Always Love you, Ms. Whitney.

[longtree-2009]

she made the decision to take drugs legal or not. unless there is evidence that her brain was impaired and could not make decisions for herself, the responsibility for her death rests solely with her. why anyone takes multiple drugs and/or sedatives and gets into a tub full of water remains a mystery as does when they drive a vehicle. one can wonder was this death accidental or was it suicide, no one will ever know for sure. not a fan but it's too bad she had to check out at 48 and in this manner.

[templescroll]

Wow, if I made a ton of money, spent it all on drugs / luxuries then became a crack head and died in a hotel room leaving my child motherless...I would be considered a bad mother.



Why is this woman elevated to icon status? I survived the death of a spouse, then while raising my son as a widow on a fraction of her salary I get cancer AND then lose my home and was forced to recover from a mastectomy in a homeless shelter with my 9 yr old son. I know many woman who have battled & survived tragedy w/o drugs. I'm not saying I didn't want to escape, but life can be tough, it sucks. But Whitney even with all your religious fervor you failed to rise above your circumstances, while at the same time disapointing your fans, dragging your family thru the muck & basically making a mockery of your faith . Your inconvenient death although sad, is not tragic nor a surprise... its just pathetic. You're hardly a role model, let alone an icon for young artists that will be falling in your footsteps.

[lskafori]

@templescroll. Do you often make a habit of talking to the dead? News flash. She can't hear you. As for her iconic status she is the most awarded entertainer in history. This is her time.. leave it alone. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Whitney_Houston

[cattiej]

I still think that the enablers go gave here the drugs should be arrested and thrown in jail...no bail....the need for a huge funeral is just for show..Whitney is dead now and the family or the publist or who ever wants this big funeral should be the one to pay for it out of their bank account...no need to rent a big stadium..a quiet funeral service for just the family, not the hangers on...would show respect..I feel for her daughter and I dislike Brown for taking Whitney down the road to ruin...Whitney has ruined her daughter's life, her mother's life. The rest of the hangers on don't count...everyone wanted a piece of the good life and got it thru Whitney...well, now you all can get out and get a real job....What a mess....All drug dealers and enablers should be arrested and get life in a prison that is build just for drug dealers....people, stop using drugs. Dead is forever...there ain't no do overs.....

[lskafori]

I'm sure there will be a private memorial for family and close friends. The "big funeral" is for her fans, people who want a last opportunity to express the love they have for Whitney--it's in the African American culture to pay last respects. As for the cost, I'm sure Whitney's estate will more than cover the cost. As for the "hangers on", most of her entourage were family and close friends, along with body guards who were her employees.

[Danni788]

Substance abuse is a part of self-medicating toxic stress and a life shortened life by 20 years. She would want us to understand this. RIP, dear Whitney. You continue to teach and bless us.
Google: ACE, toxic stress, Harvard.

[FACEITT]

@retm-w writes, "So what do want to do give her sainthood. She was an entertainer period nothing special, no hero."

Newsflash, puppy dog, sainthood is given to the f*ckin'(i do mean literally)priests who are made saints by the catholic church and they not only do drugs, have been responsible for a few people that have died mysteriously and their record of molesting and or raping young children is through the roof but you haven't mentioned that. I think I can cut it with drug addicts. Baby molesters...no way.

[kryan74]

Take this tripe to another story. Have some respect. Good God man.

[hooshang-kharabaf]

Whitney's voice was so amazing, and I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HER.

[lskafori]

Whitney's death is a great tragedy, and I'm thankful of the news coverage celebrating a life that touched many around the world, from China, to Africa, Australia, Dubai, Europe, Korea... the list goes on. While I understand that there are those who will harp on her weaknesses, there are others who will take the high road, and applaud her accomplishments. Whitney wasn't perfect, but neither are any of us. A great voice was forever silenced and that is the true tragedy. I loved her when she was high, and I continued to love her through her lows. No one here knows the path she truly walked, but she walked it. Everyone here may not approve of the way she lived, but she lived it.

Whitney, for better or worse, was a great inspiration to many, and she will be greatly missed.

[retm-w]

If she was so great why did she need drugs.

[lskafori]

retm-w some comments really do not deserve to be dignified with a response, however, I will respond to your miserable little self. Unfortunately, that's a question that only Whitney would be able to answer--I'm sure you know that already. I'm also sure you've never made a mistake or chosen a wrong path. The world should be so lucky if we all could be as perfect as you are.