In a most fitting conclusion to the service, Whitney's beloved recording of "I Will Always Love You" provided the recessional music as the casket was carried out.
After performing the ballad "Don't Cry," CeCe Winans had the congregation chime in for "Jesus Loves Me"—the last song Houston sang in public.
R. Kelly paid tribute with a moving version of Houston's hit "I Look to You," ending by saying simply "I love you, Whitney. Rest in peace."
"Even when she was tired and a bit lost, she gave and gave, and then gave some more," Patricia Houston, Whitney's sister-in-law and manager, said in a poignant speech. "When she didn't want to do things, she did it anyway, and we are so much better because of it."
"In my little fantasy world, I had a little crush on Whitney. I just had so much respect for her love of music," Stevie Wonder said before playing the piano and singing "Love's in Need of Love" and an adaptation of "Ribbon in the Sky."
"I can't tell you how moved, touched, inspired I am today, feeling the spirit in this great church. Feeling the faith, it's helping me with my grief, my heavy heart," Whitney's mentor, Clive Davis, said, before speaking about his last moments with Whitney and his favorite memories of her.
Before singing a soulful rendition of "Send Me an Angel" in honor of Whitney, an emotional Alicia Keys said, "She was such a beautiful human being. She'd call you for no reason at all just to say hi."
Whitney's cousin, Dionne Warwick, introduced Tyler Perry, among other performers and speakers during the funeral, and later read the powerful poem "Don't Grieve for Me, Now I'm Free."
Whitney's Bodyguard costar, Kevin Costner, talked about his favorite memories of the Grammy-winning performer, his relationship with her and how much he will miss her, saying, "Whitney returns home today to the place it all began. We dry our tears, suspend our sorrow and perhaps our anger just long enough to remember the sweet miracle of Whitney."
Tyler Perry shared his thoughts about the legendary singer with funeral-goers saying, "There are two constants that I know about Whitney Houston. There was a grace that carried her from heaven down through Miss Cissy Houston, a grace that brought her up through singing. The other thing I know for sure: Whitney Houston loved the Lord."
Shortly after Bobby Brown arrived just before the service began, he was spotted leaving the funeral around 12:24 p.m. with his son Landon Brown.
The New Hope Baptist Church Mass Choir and New Jersey Mass Choir, dressed in white and cream, sang Hezekiah Walker's "Grateful" as the funeral began at noon.
Rev. Al Sharpton arrived to the church just moments after celebs like Whitney's Sparkle co-star Jordin Sparks and Mary J. Blige.
Rev. Jackson offered remarks outside of the New Hope Baptist Church prior to the funeral, telling onlookers,"[Whitney's] greatness was her powerful music and her strength was her mother…she has made her transition, but we have oh so many memories to cherish."
A gold hearse bearing Whitney's body arrived at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., Saturday morning, with photos of the late singer posted on the windows.
Shortly after Whitney's passing, family and friends received an invitation to her funeral that read, "With heartfelt gratitude, the Houston family requests the honor of your presence at the home going service for Whitney Elizabeth Houston."
Whitney's mom and daughter arrived in one of three gold limousines, which were accompanied by a police escort.
The 18-year-old walked into the funeral parlor holding hands with her grandmother.
The record mogul who discovered Whitney when she was a teenager pulls up to the wake.
Mom Cissy Houston and daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown arrived for Friday night's wake at Whigham Funeral Home in Newark in a gold limo.
Fans pay their respects outside the hotel where the pop icon died on Feb. 11.
Hundreds of people lined up behind metal barricades on Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Fans left cards, flowers and candles outside the funeral home, which also provided a condolence book for people to write messages.
Yellow roses were delivered to the funeral home Friday afternoon.