NEWARK (PIX11)—
A funeral for the late Whitney Houston will reportedly take place in her hometown of Newark, N.J.According to the Newark Star Ledger, funeral arrangements for Houston are being planned for Newark's Prudential Center Friday.
Earlier reports said Whigham Funeral Home would handle arrangements but considering the large number of mourners expected, a source close to the Houston family told the paper that the 18,700-seat venue will be most accommodating.
Although a guest list for Friday's memorial was not immediately revealed, several celebrities and singers are expected to be on hand.
The Prudential Center lies a few miles away from the New Hope Baptist Church where Houston sang as a child. The church held a memorial for the legendary singer Sunday.
According to authorities, Houston, 48, was found dead Saturday in her fourth floor hotel room at the Beverly Hilton. She was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. Pacific time.
As the investigation continues, TMZ is reporting that Houston's cause of death may have be prompted by an accidental mix of alcohol and prescription drugs.
The celebrity website also reported Monday that the singer's body will be flown back to New Jersey by Tyler Perry's private jet.
Houston's funeral could rival the outpouring for Michael Jackson, in emotion if not scale. Many singers and celebrities are likely to want to eulogize the six-time Grammy winner whose glorious voice was ravaged by drugs and booze.
