I must confess I was concerned when I heard the funeral was going to be covered live using a pool feed. I was concerned that the media would make a spectacle of this.
I was concerned that the media would make a caricature of her church, one that is similar to the one my wife attends. I think the service was done in good taste.
Both the pool and the CNN after-coverage seem to cover the entire event as opposed to drive coverage or sensationalize coverage. They covered her demons fairly and her successes even more so.
Now if we could simply get the media to cover politics, something that affects us all as fairly and accurately as they covered Whitney Houston’s death and funeral. Let’s make sure they do.
At Houston funeral, stories of faith, courage and love
By Phil Gast and Jason Carroll, CNN
updated 7:48 PM EST, Sat February 18, 2012
Whitney Huston funeral: Heartfelt moments
Newark, New Jersey (CNN) — Whitney Houston went to church one last time Saturday.
She was welcomed by family, friends and a virtual audience of millions who watched as the pop superstar was remembered as a child of God with the voice of an angel.
A voice that never forgot its roots.
"Jesus Loves Me" was the last song Houston sang in public before her death February 11 in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 48.So it was fitting that the mourners — comforted and encouraged by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and R. Kelly — heard the simple, but powerful, "Jesus Loves Me," this time performed by CeCe Winans.
Saturday’s homegoing service was held at New Hope Baptist Church, where Houston, nicknamed "Nippy," was soloing in the junior choir by age 11.
Even with her ensuing fame, which brought six Grammy Awards, glamorous living and parties on the West Coast, and seven consecutive No. 1 singles, Houston never forgot her Newark, New Jersey, hometown.
Actor Kevin Costner, who starred with Houston in her first movie, "The Bodyguard," recounted how both of them grew up in the Baptist faith and had family members who sang in the choir.
"Church was our bond," Costner said.
Houston, the actor said, overcame her doubts about having what it took to earn the role in "The Bodyguard." She alone, Costner said, was the right choice.
"Now you are gone, too soon, leaving us with memories of a little girl who stepped bravely in front of this church, in front of the ones that loved you first," Costner said. "In front of the ones who loved you the best and loved you the longest. And boldly you stepped into the white hot light of the world’s stage."
During the three-and-a-half-hour service, Houston’s casket, covered with a large spray of flowers, rested in front of the altar.
While many of her fans lamented the fact that Houston’s service was invitation-only, Pastor Marvin Winans, who delivered the eulogy, thanked Cissy Houston, Whitney’s mother, for having the service at New Hope.
"That took a lot of courage. And because of that you brought the world to church today," Winans said during his eulogy.
The six-page funeral program contained color family photos and a letter from Cissy Houston.
At Houston funeral, stories of faith, courage and love – CNN.com
