NEWARK, N.J. — The three massive, unadorned crucifixes rising up behind the handsome altar of Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church will watch over Saturday’s funeral service for Whitney Houston, the singing star who began her spiritual life within its walls; found her voice here, at age 11, singing in its choir; and who frequently returned here, no matter how famous she became, or how keenly troubled.
The 48-year-old singer, who died Feb. 11 in Los Angeles of as yet undetermined causes, never severed her relationship with the church, where her mother, singer Cissy Houston, has long served as choirmaster. New Hope Baptist fed the late vocalist’s early spiritual life as well as her style of singing — honey-sweet pop laced with a soaring, gospel kick.
The funerals and memorial services for modern-day celebrities have ranged from subdued and private — or, in the case of John Lennon, no funeral at all — to the very public and star-studded spectacles that took place after the deaths of Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. Saturday’s service for Houston, perhaps the largest celebrity funeral in New Jersey history, will fall somewhere in between.
Although it will be a private affair, Houston’s invitation-only service will be viewable online and on many networks, including CNN, BET, MSNBC, Fox News and HLN, with coverage beginning as early as 8:30 a.m. EST on some channels, although the service is not expected to begin until 11 a.m.