Mother's grief at Whitney Houston's final journey

Whitney Houston's mother Cissy looked distraught today as she brought her daughter's body back to a funeral parlour in her home town.

The star's body arrived just after midnight in Newark, New Jersey, after travelling from Los Angeles on actor Tyler Perry's private jet. It was taken in a golden hearse to the Whigham Funeral Home nearby, where it was met by fans holding candles, playing Whitney's music and chanting her name.

The home also arranged the funeral in 2003 of Whitney's father, John.

Cissy Houston, 68 - herself a Grammy -award winning soul singer - is reported to be considering holding a wake at the home on Thursday followed by a public funeral at the 18,000-seat Prudential Centre sports arena on Friday.

There are also said to be plans for a smaller service at the New Hope Baptist Church, where Whitney started singing as a child.
Floral tributes, balloons and candles have been left at the church.

Whitney, 48, died on Saturday. She was found underwater in the bath in her room at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles.

According to reports, Los Angeles County Coroner officials have told her family that her death appeared to have been caused by prescription drugs mixed with alcohol and not drowning. They are now awaiting the results of toxicology tests.
Lieutenant Mark Rosen, of Los Angeles police, said: "As of right now, it's not a criminal investigation. We have concluded our portion of the investigation at the hotel."

Whitney's ex-husband Bobby Brown travelled to Los Angeles to be with their daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, 18, who was taken to hospital and treated for stress and anxiety before being released.