Whitney laid to rest

Actor Kevin Costner paid tribute Saturday to Whitney Houston, his co-star in the film “The Bodyguard,” at the pop superstar’s funeral in Newark, New Jersey.“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,” he said.Songs of praise and words of encouragement filled the sanctuary where those closest to Houston bid her farewell.Houston’s casket, covered with a large spray of flowers, rested in front of the altar at New Hope Baptist Church. At 11, Houston got her start in the junior gospel choir at the Newark church.“We’re here today with hearts broken, but with God’s strength we celebrate the life of Whitney Houston,” said Pastor Joe Carter.Speakers, including Bishop T.D. Jakes and director-producer Tyler Perry, spoke of Houston’s faith and the promise of tomorrow.Jakes delivered, to applause, a message of victory over death.“Death has not won. Your tears may flow. The flowers might wither,” he said. “You will find people you love may leave you outwardly, but (they) will not leave you inwardly.”Oprah Winfrey, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Spike Lee, and Houston’s former husband, Bobby Brown, were among those on hand. Brown walked by Houston’s casket with his head down before the service began.The service featured performances by Stevie Wonder -- singing one of his hits, “Ribbon in the Sky” -- R&B star R. Kelly, Alicia Keys and gospel greats Kim Burrell and BeBe Winans.Under bright sunshine, a golden hearse with a black-and-white picture of Houston carried the singer’s body to the red-brick church Saturday morning. She will be laid to rest Sunday at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, just south of Newark.Guests at the service arrived on a black carpet, went to the church fellowship hall and were escorted to their seats by ushers dressed in black suits and purple ties.Some 1,500 people were expected at the service.Houston, the six-time Grammy Award winner and the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 hits, died a week ago in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 48.The Houston family opted to forgo a public memorial service.