Fans and admirers of the music legend,Whitney Houston waited patiently at the nearby streets as the funeral was underway at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.
Aretha Franklin, who was expected to sing at the service, could not participate in the funeral service as she is reportedly too ill to attend the ceremony.
Queen Latifah, Mariah Carey, Oprah Winfrey, Forrest Whittaker and many other celebrities are among the guests who are already at the New Hope Baptist Church.
Take a look at the latest scenes outside the church:
Newark Police officers watch as Houston's hearse arrives at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark on 18/02/2012.ReutersA poster of the late singer Houston hangs on sign post near the New Hope Baptist Church before her funeral service in Newark.ReutersReverend Jesse Jackson walks to the New Hope Baptist Church for the funeral service for the late singer Whitney Houston in Newark.ReutersFrame grab shows hearse carrying the casket of late singer Whitney Houston,arriving at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark.ReutersLimousine drives to the New Hope Baptist Church for Whitney Houston's funeral service in Newark.ReutersVendor selling buttons near New Hope Baptist Church where funeral service for late singer Whitney Houston was to take place in Newark.ReutersFrame grab shows aerial view of funeral procession for Whitney Houston in Newark.ReutersMembers of media stand at Sussex Street near New Hope Baptist Church where funeral service for the late singer Houston will take place in Newark.Reuters
