Whitney laid to rest next to her father

‘I Will Always Love You’ played at church service:

US: Whitney Houston was buried next to her father at a brief private ceremony today.

Well-wishers gathered along the route of the funeral cortege in New Jersey to pay their respects to the star who died at the age of 48.

Her coffin was driven in a gold hearse with red and white roses placed on the roof, with family and close following behind in cars of the same colour.

Fans and onlookers watched the motorcade make its journey from the Newark funeral home to the cemetery about 20 miles away in Westfield.

The hearse carrying the body of singer Whitney Houston arrives for her burial service at the Fairview Cemetery The hearse carrying the body of singer Whitney Houston arrives for her burial service at the Fairview Cemetery Getty

Some slowly ran alongside the hearse, which had a black and white picture of the star in a window.

he hearse carrying the body of singer Whitney Houston arrives at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield he hearse carrying the body of singer Whitney Houston arrives at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield AP

Houston was found submerged in the bath in her hotel room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles last Saturday. She was laid to rest next to her father John, who died in 2003.

Some of the biggest names in the music industry came together yesterday to bid an emotional farewell to the singer at her funeral service in Newark, New Jersey.

Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, R Kelly and a host of gospel stars performed during the three hour and 45 minute-long ceremony, while actor Kevin Costner fought back tears as he gave a moving eulogy.

Alicia Keys performs at Whitney Houston's funeral Personal tribute: Alicia Keys performs at Whitney Houston's funeral

Keys described Houston, 48, as an “angel” and a “beautiful human being”, while Costner, who starred with Houston in The Bodyguard, described her as the “greatest pop star in the world”.

Kevin Costner paid tribute to Whitney Houston at her funeral service with a thoughtful eulogy

Her biggest hit, I Will Always Love You, was played as the marathon service at New Hope Baptist Church, where she performed as a child, came to a close.

Mirror.UK