By IBTimes Staff Reporter | February 18, 2012 3:30 AM IST

Whitney Houston Funeral: Celebrities, Mourners Head to Newark [PHOTOS]

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Whitney Houston Funeral: Celebrities, Mourners Head to Newark [PHOTOS]

Whitney Houston's funeral is fast approaching, and celebrities and mourners are heading to Newark, N.J., where the world will say goodbye to the music icon on Saturday. This gallery will be updated as celebrities and mourners head to Newark and arrive at the funeral.

A woman takes a photograph in front of The New Hope Baptist Church where Whitney Houston's funeral will take place, February 17, 2012.

A wide range of celebrities from the film and music worlds are expected to attend Whitney Houston's funeral will take place Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., where Houston first sang publicly as a young child.

A number of music's biggest stars are expected to attend the ceremony, according to the paper, including Houston's godmother, Aretha Franklin; Houston's mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston; and Houston's cousin, musician Dionne Warwick. Kevin Costner, Jesse Jackson, Beyonce, Alicia Keys and others are also expected to show up to say goodbye to the singer

And her close friend Chaka Khan is expected to be at the funeral as well, as are singers Kelly Price and Jennifer Hudson, the New York Daily News reported. Actor Mel Gibson was invited to attend by the Houston family, but will not be attending due to conflicting family commitments, according to TMZ.com

Whitney Houston's funeral will be a somber affair for friends and family who want to say goodbye to her in person.

Whitney Houston was pronounced dead on Saturday at 3:55 p.m. PST. The newest news reports state that the singer died of a combination of drugs and alcohol. Initially, her cause of death was rumored to be drowning. However, there was reportedly not enough water in her hotel room tub for the singer to drown.

A toxicology report and official autopsy may not be available for the next six to eight weeks. Houston's last meal included champagne and Heineken. Empty medicine bottles were found in her hotel room, along with pills like Xanax and ibuprofen.

This photo slideshow provides a glimpse of the celebrities and other mourners who are heading to Newark for Whitney Houston's funeral. Check back as the service nears for updates to the gallery with pictures of other attendees.

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