- Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina pictured for first time since she was rushed to hospital following the singer's death
- Throngs of fans line streets as police procession guides family and friends to private viewing ahead of funeral
- Singer's mother Cissy leads family and friends including Dionne Warwick and Clive Davis
- Ray-J, who has said Whitney will 'live in his heart forever', and his sister Brandy flew out of LAX
With millions of viewers set to witness Whitney Houston's funeral at noon today, the late singer's family members, including her mother Cissy and daughter Bobbi Kristina, took the opportunity to pay their respects in private yesterday.
A tearful Cissy Houston arrived at Whigham Funeral Home in the singer's hometown of Newark, New Jersey alongside her 78-year-old grandmother. They were later joined by famous faces including Houston's close friend Clive Davis and cousin Dionne Warwick.
Funeral director Caroline Whigham told the crowd gathered outside that the viewing 'was done in privacy. It was between a mother, a daughter, two brothers and a family,' according to People magazine.
The mourning family was also accompanied by a strong police presence which ensured the large crowds of fans who gathered outside the home kept their distance.
The heavy officer presence comes amid police warnings for fans to stay at home to watch the service rather than scramble for a place near the New Hope Baptist Church. Authorities say fans will not even be able to get within six square blocks of the church.
Cissy was escorted into the building by a priest and held hands with a woman in a crisp white shirt. The former gospel singer was dressed smartly in a black coat with an orange and brown leopard print scarf wrapped around her shoulders.
Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina, pictured in public for first time since she was rushed to hospital following the singer's death in a Beverly Hills hotel, arrived at the funeral home in dark jeans, white vest and a black jacket.
She appeared controlled as she entered the funeral home. 'There are moments when she is strong and moments when it all hits her,' a source told People magazine. 'She can't escape it.'
The 18-year-old is the daughter of Houston and her former husband Bobby Brown. It has been reported that the teen will now live with her grandmother 'indefinitely' according to HollywoodLife.com.
The teenager hid her eyes between a pair of sunglasses and held the hand of a friend as she walked past security.
Family and friends were greeted by what appeared to be an Egyptian-decorated casket outside the home.
As well as close family of Whitney in attendance friends also gathered together to pay their respects.
The late singer's cousin Dionne Warwick was seen arriving and had wore a white shirt and a pair of dark trousers.
Whitney's mentor and life-long friend Clive Davies also made an appearance as reports have emerged the music producer tried to get the singer to enter rehab in the weeks leading up to her death.
Whitney's on-off boyfriend Ray-J was seen making his way through LAX airport with his sister Brandy on their way to New Jersey ahead of the funeral.
Kevin Costner, who starred opposite Houston in the 1992 film The Bodyguard, was also seen making his way east at the airport.
Fans gathered outside where they signed a book of condolence and laid tributes, including flowers, balloons and teddy bears.
It is expected that fans will be blocked off the site once the 48-year-old star's family arrives for her wake ahead of today's funeral.
Family including daughter Bobbi Kristina, 18, along with her grandmother Cissy, 78, Miss Houston's mother, are due to say a more private goodbye at the pre-funeral service.
The gold hearse which conveyed her body to the funeral home remained parked outside, while fans lined up to pay their respects.
Already, some were waiting outside the temporarily crash barriers near the funeral home.
At today's service, a galaxy of stars are to pay tribute to Houston at her funeral in a gathering not seen since the death of Michael Jackson.
MORE NEWS & PICS TO COME
- Throngs of fans line streets as police procession guides family and friends to private viewing ahead of funeral
- Singer's mother Cissy leads family and friends including Dionne Warwick and Clive Davis
- Ray-J, who has said Whitney will 'live in his heart forever', and his sister Brandy flew out of LAX
With millions of viewers set to witness Whitney Houston's funeral at noon today, the late singer's family members, including her mother Cissy and daughter Bobbi Kristina, took the opportunity to pay their respects in private yesterday.
A tearful Cissy Houston arrived at Whigham Funeral Home in the singer's hometown of Newark, New Jersey alongside her 78-year-old grandmother. They were later joined by famous faces including Houston's close friend Clive Davis and cousin Dionne Warwick.
Funeral director Caroline Whigham told the crowd gathered outside that the viewing 'was done in privacy. It was between a mother, a daughter, two brothers and a family,' according to People magazine.
The mourning family was also accompanied by a strong police presence which ensured the large crowds of fans who gathered outside the home kept their distance.
The heavy officer presence comes amid police warnings for fans to stay at home to watch the service rather than scramble for a place near the New Hope Baptist Church. Authorities say fans will not even be able to get within six square blocks of the church.
Cissy was escorted into the building by a priest and held hands with a woman in a crisp white shirt. The former gospel singer was dressed smartly in a black coat with an orange and brown leopard print scarf wrapped around her shoulders.
Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina, pictured in public for first time since she was rushed to hospital following the singer's death in a Beverly Hills hotel, arrived at the funeral home in dark jeans, white vest and a black jacket.
She appeared controlled as she entered the funeral home. 'There are moments when she is strong and moments when it all hits her,' a source told People magazine. 'She can't escape it.'
The 18-year-old is the daughter of Houston and her former husband Bobby Brown. It has been reported that the teen will now live with her grandmother 'indefinitely' according to HollywoodLife.com.
The teenager hid her eyes between a pair of sunglasses and held the hand of a friend as she walked past security.
Family and friends were greeted by what appeared to be an Egyptian-decorated casket outside the home.
As well as close family of Whitney in attendance friends also gathered together to pay their respects.
The late singer's cousin Dionne Warwick was seen arriving and had wore a white shirt and a pair of dark trousers.
Whitney's mentor and life-long friend Clive Davies also made an appearance as reports have emerged the music producer tried to get the singer to enter rehab in the weeks leading up to her death.
Whitney's on-off boyfriend Ray-J was seen making his way through LAX airport with his sister Brandy on their way to New Jersey ahead of the funeral.
Kevin Costner, who starred opposite Houston in the 1992 film The Bodyguard, was also seen making his way east at the airport.
Fans gathered outside where they signed a book of condolence and laid tributes, including flowers, balloons and teddy bears.
It is expected that fans will be blocked off the site once the 48-year-old star's family arrives for her wake ahead of today's funeral.
Family including daughter Bobbi Kristina, 18, along with her grandmother Cissy, 78, Miss Houston's mother, are due to say a more private goodbye at the pre-funeral service.
The gold hearse which conveyed her body to the funeral home remained parked outside, while fans lined up to pay their respects.
Already, some were waiting outside the temporarily crash barriers near the funeral home.
At today's service, a galaxy of stars are to pay tribute to Houston at her funeral in a gathering not seen since the death of Michael Jackson.
MORE NEWS & PICS TO COME
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