Whitney Houston (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - The funeral for Whitney Houston at the New Jersey church she attended as a child has ended.
The New Hope Baptist Church in Newark was packed to capacity for the invitation-only service. Houston died Feb. 11 in California the day before the Grammy awards. She was 48.
Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys were among those who sang at the service. Kevin Costner, Clive Davis and others spoke. The Rev. Marvin Winans has eulogized Houston.
The funeral ended with Houston's casket being taken out the church as her hit "I Will Always Love You" played. Her mother's sobs could be heard throughout the church, and Houston's daughter was crying too.
Houston is expected to be laid to rest near her father's grave in New Jersey.
Houston's ex-husband briefly appeared at her funeral before leaving.
Bobby Brown arrived as the service began. He walked to the casket, touched it and walked to the back of the New Jersey church Saturday.
Brown says in a statement that he and his children were seated but asked repeatedly to move. Brown says he left because he didn't want to create a scene.
As he left, Brown appeared upset.
Houston and Brown were married 15 years and have one daughter together. In 2003, police responding to a domestic violence call about Brown found Houston with a cut lip and bruised cheek. Their tumultuous relationship ended in 2007.
Associated Press