Global Entertainments

NEWARK: An audio recording of "I Will Always Love You," concluded a added than four-hour burial account to the accompanist Whitney Houston on Saturday, one anniversary afterwards the superstar's abrupt afterlife at 48.

Hollywood stars, music greats, ancestors and accompany had accumulated at New Hope Baptist Abbey in
Newark, New Jersey to pay accolade to the singer, area she sang as a adolescent afore acquisition the apple date with her performances.

A casket accustomed Houston's anatomy was taken from the abbey at about 3:45 pm (2045 GMT) as "I Will Always Love You," the affair from "The Bodyguard," cine admired by abounding as her signature track, played in the background.

Kevin Costner, Houston's co-star in the film, delivered an affecting but upbeat accolade to the singer, whose afterlife prompted sadness, affliction and account from admirers and aeon worldwide.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker set the accent for the service, which opened to blissful actuality singing from the New Hope Mass Choir.

"We are actuality to ache our loss, but to bless her life. God is in heaven, and with him is one of our angels, Whitney Houston," Booker said.

Streets abreast the red-brick church, which has been adorned with floral tributes, candles, balloons and comfort cards in contempo days, were closed off as the canonizing account was by allurement only.

The abbey has a accommodation of alone 1,500 and admirers were respectfully asked to break abroad for abhorrence of crowds abolition the event, but several hundred angry up regardless.