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Jersey as well. some of these fanses say they're very upset because they feel like they were the ones that helped put whitney houston on the map, they w the ones who bought the millions of albums over the years and they have been kept at a distance and have been throughout the week as well. so we've heard from a number of those fans, but, as you mentioned, the family decided very early on in the week that this would be a very private affair. there was a viewing last night, private viewing just for family members, and the funeral today, invite-only. the church seats 1,500. we're told that it wi...

Two experiences and what you're talking about with the demands of the crowd can never be fully satisfied. >> i want to go to craig melvin who is in newark, new jersey, right now and is right there and listening. craig, are you there? >> i am. i am here, melissa. what you guys are looking at right now. that's the new hope baptist church in new jersey mass choir. they are going to start the funeral service at noon. right after that there will be a script you are and reverend donny mcclerkin will sing with the choir. anyone who follows gospel music will know the name of the song called "stand," a...

There's a makeshift memorial in front of the church that has grown throughout the course of the week, but it is going to be a very private affair. the newark police department has gone to great lengths to make sure the family's privacy is respected. >> craig, stay with us. i want to introduce a few new fo folks into the conversation. i'm back now with the author of "how to be black" joins us also are pop culture expert john murray and an msnbc contributor and also the author of "who's afraid of post blackness." i'm thrilled to have all of you at the table with me. i am really sorry the circums...

Reverend winans said we don't have church. folks who might be watching this who might not be familiar with the black baptist church experience over the next two and a half, three hour, they are going see a quintessential black baptist church funeral. they've got it scripted at an hour and a half. it will -- >> everyone at the table is laughing, craig. >> everyone at the table laughed at the idea of an hour and a half in part because if you've been part of these experiences before especially a death like this, someone who is only 48 years old, who still leaves behind a very young woman as her d...

Welcome back. you're looking at live pictures from outside whitney houston's funeral, scheduled at noon today. invited guests have made their way into newark's new hope baptist church where houston grew up singing in the choir. her family denied a public memorial and a six-block perimeter is set up to provide privacy for the guests. we will be bringing you her funeral live. but first i want to go to nbc's craig melvin who is in newark, new jersey. kre craig, i know you have some information about the funeral for us. >> reporter: yeah, melissa. we just learned a short time ago that whitney ho...