The funeral services were held in Newark, N.J. on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the New Hope Baptist Church where Whitney Houston grew up singing in the choir.
STORY: Whitney Houston's Funeral: Guests Arrive to Pay Their Respects to the Legend
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2012
Whitney Houston's family wanted the service to include guests who actually knew the star, but allowed crews to set up outside and cameras inside to shoot the service. They knew that the public would want to take part in the "Homegoing."
STORY: Whitney Houston's Funeral: Guests Arrive to Pay Their Respects to the Legend
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
Barricades were set up blocking access to the New Hope church by the public and cars inside the barrier were towed when their owners could not be found.
STORY: Whitney Houston's Funeral: Guests Arrive to Pay Their Respects to the Legend
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
A gold hearse carrying Whitney Houston's body led a procession of limousines and a police escort up to New Hope Baptist Church on Saturday morning.
STORY: Whitney Houston's Funeral: Guests Arrive to Pay Their Respects to the Legend
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
Around 9:30 a.m., Whitney Houston's body was transported from the Whigham Funeral Home to the New Hope Church about a half-mile away.
STORY: Whitney Houston's Funeral: Guests Arrive to Pay Their Respects to the Legend
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
Whitney Houston’s silver casket was decorated with white roses and purple lilies. It was escorted into the church by three police officers while the choir sang.
STORY: Whitney Houston's Funeral: Guests Arrive to Pay Their Respects to the Legend
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
Among the close family who attended was Whitney Houston’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown; their daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown; Dionne Warwick, Houston's cousin; and her mother, Cissy Houston.
STORY: Whitney Houston's Funeral: Guests Arrive to Pay Their Respects to the Legend
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
More than two hours before the service started, fans carrying signs and pictures of Whitney Houston began to assemble outside the barricades.
STORY: Whitney Houston's Funeral: Guests Arrive to Pay Their Respects to the Legend
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
Whitney Houston's mother, Cissy Houston, planned for a traditional "homegoing" ceremony, with members of the gospel community on tap to celebrate and honor the life of "Nippy" — Houston's nickname.
STORY: Whitney Houston's Funeral: Guests Arrive to Pay Their Respects to the Legend
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
Guests arrived to the church as early as two hours before the service. They included r&b singer Ray J; New Jersey Governor Chris Christie; Star Jones; Forest Whitaker; Diane Sawyer; and Mary J. Blige.
STORY: Whitney Houston's Funeral: Guests Arrive to Pay Their Respects to the Legend
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
Rev. Jesse Jackson was one of the first to arrive to the service. He had stopped by the funeral home earlier that morning to view Whitney Houston's body.
STORY: Whitney Houston's Funeral: Guests Arrive to Pay Their Respects to the Legend
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
Guests arrive for the services and greet each other in front of the church and a fan memorial.
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
Whitney Houston's ex-husband Bobby Brown caused some some controversy after leaving the funeral after a disagreement over seating.
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
Rev. Al Sharpton defended Whitney Houston's ex-husband Bobby Brown's departure saying, "He showed nothing but love and respect. … I wish people would leave Bobby alone."
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures
After Whitney Houston's funeral, soul singer Roberta Flack said, "Stevie Wonder rewrote the words to 'Ribbon In the Sky.' That was very special because that was her favorite song."
PHOTOS: Iconic Singer Whitney Houston's Life and Career in Pictures