Whitney Houston's family, friends and fans gathered today for the music icon's funeral service at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.

The memorial service was private but Houston's family allowed an Associated Press camera inside the venue to broadcast the event online.

"We all have wonderful memories of Whitney & Saturday will be a day for us to honor the woman that touched so many people around the world," Houston's family wrote on her website.

The service is been held at the church where Houston began singing when she was 11 years old.

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Tags: Whitey Houston