Newark, USA - Whitney Houston’s funeral might be broadcast live to fans gathered outside New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, an official said Wednesday.
Church leaders are discussing setting up a giant screen so mourners who are not part of the exclusive “invitation only” service on Saturday can still pay tribute to the pop icon.
“We are thinking about setting up a movie screen and playing a live feed for all the people outside,” a church official said Wednesday.
“The people deserve something and we are working to set it up for them.”
A star-studded choir made up of music greats is expected to perform at the noon ceremony at Whitney’s childhood church.
The Rev. Marvin Winans, the Detroit pastor who officiated at the pop queen’s marriage to singer Bobby Brown, will deliver the eulogy.
Whitney’s cousin Dionne Warwick, her godmother Aretha Franklin and Grammy Award-winning artist Jennifer Hudson are also expected to attend.
“It’s going to be a once-in-a lifetime musical tribute unlike anything anyone has ever seen,” the church official said.
Houston, 48, was found submerged in the bathtub in a luxury fourth-floor suite at the Beverly Hilton hotel Saturday,the day before the Grammy Awards.
A number of prescription pill bottles containing sedatives were found in her room. An autopsy was conducted, but the cause of death was pending toxicology tests.