Whitney is laid to rest: American icon's journey 'home' ends with private burial in New Jersey
*MKILETEWA HAPA NA MISS FB*Following a very public farewell to Whitney Houston at a funeral attended by thousands yesterday, the late singer will be laid to rest surrounded by just a select few in New Jersey today.
The tragic star will be buried in a private ceremony at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield where her father, John Russell Houston Jr., was interred in 2003.
Houston's silver casket was transported to the cemetery in a gold-painted hearse on Sunday morning, closely following a black truck brimming with purple roses, pink carnations and white lilies.
Final journey: A gold hearse carrying Whitney Houston's body arrives at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey where she will be laid to rest in a private ceremony on Sunday afternoon;
Top security: The singer's silver casket can be seen inside the hearse, which was escorted to the cemetery by police;
The casket was reportedly watched over by 10 security guards after it left the invitation-only service attended by some of the music world's biggest stars yesterday.
Authorities said the tight security will continue during the burial, with a heavy officer presence in and around the ceremony in anticipation of fans flocking to the site to say their final goodbyes.
Fans carrying banners, flowers and photographs of the late star were gathered along the route to the cemetery as police escorted the hearse. It arrived at the cemetery just before 11.45 a.m.
The driver appeared to be crying as she played the singer's greatest hit I Will Always Love You, the New Jersey Star-Ledger reported.
The burial comes a day after the singer was mourned at the funeral - called her 'coming home' by her family - held in the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark where she sang in the choir as a child.
High-profile friends of Houston, including Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, music mogul Clive Davis and her The Bodyguard co-star Kevin Costner, spoke or performed at the highly-charged service.
Resting place: Whitney Houston's plot next to her father John Russell Houston Jr. in Westfield Cemetery;
Family: Relatives including Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina,and cousin Dionne Warwick, arrive;
Tearful goodbye: Fans throw flowers on Houston's hearse as the driver is overcome with emotion;
The ceremony, which closed with Houston's song I Will Always Love You, was also attended by her mother Cissy Houston, who wailed 'My baby!' as the casket was carried out.
Houston's on-off boyfriend Ray J - who reached out for the casket as it passed - and her teenage daughter Bobbi Kristina also attended the service.
The star's distraught ex-husband Bobby Brown caused a ruckus when he bickered with security about the number of guests accompanying him. He was told he could bring two but arrived with nine.
He stormed out of the service after security tried to move him, but later returned.
The service came a week after the 48-year-old was found dead in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel in California.
Final farewell: Fans wave to Houston's family before the hearse carrying her body leaves the funeral home;
Remembered: Fans flocked to the cemetery with flowers, banners and photographs of the late star;
Crowds: Media and bystanders gather outside the Fairview Cemetery ahead of the burial service;
Questions remains about what caused the singer's death and investigators are examining prescription drugs found in her hotel room.
Coroners have deferred city a cause on her death certificate as they are waiting for the outcome of toxicology tests.
On Friday, Houston's family attended a private viewing of her body at a Newark funeral home. Bobbi Kristina and Cissy Houston were joined by relatives including Houston's cousin Dionne Warwick.
It was believed the family would be able to see Houston's body once more before she is buried, TMZ reported"
R.I.P. WHITNEY ,, AND THANKS FOR THE POST MISS FB"
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