guarantee that petn would be detected as well. >> that is it for tonight's show. i'm randi kaye. >> and i'm dr. sanjay gupta. thanks for joining us. tonight, whitney houston's funeral, a proper farewell for an all-american diva. >> we celebrate the life of whitney houston. >> the family. >> god wanted me now. he set me free. >> faith. >> a grace that carried her from heaven down. >> and final good-byes from those who knew and loved her best. >> there's a lady in heaven who's making god himself wonder how he created something so perfect. >> whitney houston, a final farewell. >> we loved her so much, and

that won't stop. >> this is a special edition of "piers morgan tonight." ♪ ♪ oh, yeah ♪ he leadeth me on the path of righteousness for his ♪ ♪ for his namesake ♪ oh, oh, yeah

♪ yeah ♪ though i walk through the valley of the shadows of death ♪ ♪ i shall fear no evil for thou art with me ♪ ♪ yes, to comfort me, yes, you comfort me ♪ ♪ yes, you comfort me ♪ yes, you comfort me, >> whitney, today is your day. we celebrate. today is your day, whitney. today is your day.

now i want to just say that we came here to celebrate and this is how we celebrate, we have church. we have church. the loving people you see, this family, they love the lord. and that is their face that is holding them together and so it's not about anybody but whitney today. and we celebrate and we want to support and strengthen this family in this hour. ♪ when you've done all you can ♪ and it seems like it's never enough ♪

♪ tell me what do you say when the one's gone away ♪ ♪ and you're all alone ♪ all alone ♪ tell me what do you give for ♪ when you give in your heart ♪ seems like you can't give anymore ♪ ♪ well, you just stand when there's nothing left to do ♪ ♪ you just stand and watch, watch the lord see you through ♪ >> it was pat who introduced me to whitney a while back, and she and i sat in a restaurant in atlanta, just the two of us. sat there talking for about an hour and a half, about four years ago. and during this time, she was telling me about her life. and i was very surprised at how candid and open and revealing she was, as she was talking to me.

and she would talk about some things that she had went through, some things that had made her sad, some things that were tough. and as i would see her talk about this, i would see this heaviness come upon her. and i'm the type of person that when i would see this with anyone, i would just want to say something encouraging. but before i could get words out to encourage her, she would say, but the lord -- >> yes! >> and the conversation went on, the conversation went on, and we would talk a little bit more, and she would go back into this sadness, and i was just about to step in, and she would say, but my lord and savior, jesus christ, and his saving grace. it was at that moment on, i knew i would do everything i could to stand with her. and i've been standing with her and her family, and i'm just completely thankful to god for all that he has done in her life. there are two constants i know about whitney houston, and one is that there was a grace that carried. a grace that carried her from heaven down to miss houston. a grace that carried her up from singing. from what i understand, she

wasn't even supposed to be able to speak, let alone sing, because of an incident that happened to her as a child, but there was a grace that kept on carrying her all the way on through. the same grace led her to the top of the charts, sold all these albums, done these amazing things, won all these awards, she sung for presidents, and there was a grace that kept on carrying her. that's one thing i know. and the other thing i know for sure, and this is more important than anything she's ever done in her life, whitney houston loved the lord. and in every conversation we had over these years, it was evident that she loved the lord. she loved the lord. and when i think about her, there's a scripture that keeps burning in my heart. i keep thinking about the apostles and roman, and he was

thinking, there is nothing that should separate me from the love of god. so what i know about her is that nothing separated her from the love of god, and if you look at what paul was saying, he was describing her life so perfectly. he said, no matter height which meant, no matter how high she went in the stratosphere, nothing separated her from the -- neither height nor debt, no matter how much struggle, no matter what she had to walk through, it still wasn't enough to separate her from the love of god, nor principalities or power, nor things to come. nothing was able to separate her from the love of god. ♪ with tears on my pillow, refusing to let go ♪ ♪ when i heard you left here ♪ felt alone on a playground, i'm lost in your hometown, since you left here ♪ they say time makes it better ♪ ♪ but in time i'll see you later ♪

♪ we'll be together, a long time forever, when i leave here ♪ ♪ grateful for the things that you have done ♪ ♪ yes, i'm grateful for the things we won ♪ >> the beautiful whitney mornin'. i guess i'm helping them save hundreds on car insurance. it probably also doesn't hurt that i'm a world-famous advertising icon. cheers! i mean, who wouldn't want a piece of that? geico. ah... fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent oh dear...

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♪ grateful for the things that you have done ♪ ♪ yes, i'm grateful for the things we won ♪ >> the beautiful whitney houston. her voice, her song, her poise, her class.

but that is not what brings you here. because she knew who she was. not just what she tid. you paid a tremendous price in life. you shared her with the world. and we want with to take a moment and say thank you. >> in moments like this, it feels -- it feels like death has won. but the bible says that love is stronger than death. your hearts are heavy, tears flow down, your spirits are wounded. i feel that too. ♪ she was born in newark, oh, she was heaven sent ♪

♪ she's been busy ever since ♪ it's been a long, a long time coming ♪ ♪ oh, but a change had to come ♪ oh, yes, it did ♪ sometimes when we talk, it felt like it's too hard living ♪ ♪, but i know she wasn't afraid to die ♪ ♪ because whitney understood, somebody's waiting beyond the sky ♪ ♪ it's been a long time, a long time coming ♪ ♪ oh, a change had to come ♪ oh, yes, it did

♪ sometimes, she'd say, i got to call my mother ♪ ♪ i got to call her, because i'm, i'm in need, yeah ♪ ♪ because when she, when she called you, she already knew, mother, that immediately, whatever she was going through, you would get down on your knees ♪ ♪ oh, there was a time that she felt she couldn't last ♪ ♪ oh, but i know, i know those times have past ♪ ♪ it's been a long, a long time

coming ♪ ♪ but i know, oh, a change, from mortal to immortal, a change has come ♪ ♪ no more tears, no more rehearsals, no more trust, no more flying, no more crying ♪ ♪ oh, a change, a change, a change, a change has come ♪ ♪ the best outfit to put on to be with god, yeah ♪ ♪ oh, a change, a change, a change, a change has come ♪ ♪ it's been a long time, it's

been a long time, it's been a long time, but i know she's with jesus ♪ ♪ yeah ♪ it's been a long time coming ♪ but a change has come ♪ it's been a long, a long time coming, oh, ♪ ♪ whitney, a change has come >> the whitney i knew, despite her success and worldwide fame, still wondered, am i good enough? am i pretty enough? will they like me? it was the burden that made her great and the part that caused

her to stumble in the end. whitney, if you could hear me now, i would tell you, you weren't just good enough. you were great. you sang the whole damn song without a band. you made the picture what it was. a lot of leading men could have played my part, a lot of guys. a lot of guys could have filled that role. but you, whitney, i truly believe that you were the only one who could have played rachael marrin at that time. you weren't just pretty, you were as beautiful as a woman could be. and people didn't just like you, whitney, they loved you.

i was your pretend bodyguard once, not so long ago. and now you're gone, too soon, leaving us with memories, memories of a little girl who stepped bravely in front of this church, in front of the ones that loved you first, in front of the ones that loved you best, and loved you the longest. then boldly you stepped into the white, hot light of the world stage. and what you did is rarest of achievements. you set the bar so high that professional singers, your own colleagues, they don't want to sing that little country song, what would be the point? now the only one who sing your songs are young girls like, who are dreaming of being you some day. and so to you, bobbi christina, and to all those young girls who are dreaming that dream, but maybe thinking they aren't good enough, i think whitney would

tell you, guard your bodies and guard the precious miracle of your own life, and then sing your hearts out, knowing that there's a lady in heaven who is making god himself wonder how he created something so perfect. so off you go, whitney. off you go. escorted by an army of angels to your heavenly father. and when you sing before him, don't you worry.

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♪

i feel like in so many ways, you know, she reached back to so many people. she reached back to me. she reached back to monica and brandi and jordan and all of these beautiful young artists, you know, so many young artists. and just, you know, made us feel like, like strong and capable and loved. and just like, hey, meema. so she's an angel to us, and she's been an angel to us, you know? and just been a beautiful human being, you know? so, i think we've been sending angel for a long time. ♪ can you send me an angel ♪ because i don't want to feel

like dove with no wings ♪ ♪ and i don't want to know what a heart of stone would break ♪ ♪ because that's a lonely road to travel ♪ ♪ and a heavy load to bear ♪ and it's a long, long way to heaven, but i got to get there ♪ ♪ because whitney's an angel

♪ see, she's an angel ♪ and she's an angel ♪ oh, yeah ♪ see, she's an angel oh, we're never going to forget you, no, no ♪ ♪ we never going to forget what you done for us, no, no, no ♪ >> you wait for a voice like that for a lifetime. you wait for a face like that, a smile like that, a presence like that for a lifetime. and when one person embodies it all, well, it takes your breath away. and that's the way i felt in 1983 when in the middle of your

act at sweetwaters, your daughter stepped forward and shattered me with her version of "the greatest love of all." and that night we connected, and we connected with each other every night thereafter. i thought of that just this past week, when whitney and i spent tuesday afternoon in my bungalow at the beverly hills hotel. i looked at her on the couch, saw that she'd applied a little makeup, and was once again taken aback. she was one beautiful woman.

the lord and her religion, obviously, was her life-guiding force. music as well, was her passion. whitney lived music. whitney loved music. personally, all i can say is that i loved her very much. whitney was purely and simply one of a kind. yes, she admitted to crises in her life. yes, she confessed to oprah about her searing battles. but when i needed her, she was there. and bobbi kristina, you, too, always, always be proud of your mother.

she loved you so very much. she defined not only pure talent, but true heart and soul as well. she'll forever be looking after you and will never let go of your hand. so as i said earlier last week, last week whitney came by my hotel, that hotel bungalow, alone. no bodyguards, no security, just whitney and me. and she played her new cut from "sparkle," and i played some new music that i liked for her.

it was like old times. and she looked at me and quietly said, i want you to know, i'm getting in shape. i'm swimming an hour or two a day and i'm committed to getting behind no cigarettes, plenty of vocal exercises. clive, i'll be ready by august. well, whitney, i'm going to hold you to it. everyone in heaven, including god, is waiting, and i just know you're going to raise the roof

like no one else has done before. ♪ what god gives is never a coincidence ♪ ♪ and far more than some heaven sense ♪ ♪ but what is that was always meant, like you were a voice from heaven's choir ♪ ♪ who can lose with god on my side ♪ ♪ and no more whitney, no more do you have to cry ♪ ♪ you will always be a ribbon in the sky ♪ ♪ that angel from god's choir, that angel from god's choir, that angel from god's choir of

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♪ send your good-bye right away ♪ ♪ ♪ you've got to, i've got to, we've got to, we've got to, i've got to, you've got to ♪

♪ love ♪ love ♪ >> when someone dies, we are sad, we are angry, we are stunned, we are often bewildered, and we may even feel abandoned. but the more i think of her life, the more i know that she is so safe and so precious in the eyes of god that he carefully considered the time for her to come to another level of peace. i am even more comforted by the fact that all of our times are in his hands. today the world is celebrating the life and times of this magnificent woman of grace,

beauty, and enormous talent. today the world is saying good-bye and away to that incredible soul. today we as a family celebrate the life of our sister, our daughter, our mother, and our friend. there is so much i could say about her, for she was one with a charmed and beautiful life. a life sometimes misunderstood, even by herself. but a life, nevertheless, that gave joy, happiness, enthusiasm, peace, and beautiful music to millions of people across the world. with all that i have been privileged to know about her, to share with her, what i can say for sure is that even when she was tired or a bit lost, she

gave and gave and then gave some more. when she did not want to do things, she did them anyway. and we are so much better for it. to my mother-in-law, yes, you did everything you could, but the choice was always hers. remember this also that there are people that jesus could not heal because they did not want his help, so if god in a body could to the do something, then you can feel confident that you are fine. she put the spark in "sparkle," and crissy, that was for you. you were that spark. she wanted much for you. you know how she used to tell you to say were prayers. did you read that scripture?

i don't care what was going on with her, i don't care what it was, she stayed grounded in the word, mom, you'd be proud. you'd be proud. a friend sent a note reminding us that our dear sister, aunt, mother, friend has been set free. thank you. free from pain, free from sorrow, free from crying, free from sin, free from death. we will see her again, but until then, she rests peacefully in the lord's presence. my partner and my sister, whitney elizabeth houston, there are no words that can describe how i feel right now. i didn't think that i could do it, but she's always telling me

to stand. you stand. i need you. and today i stand to say that the legacy that she left was music, but what she left for you was her love for god and she had it, and she was absolute. she was absolute about that. and ma, no worries. in her final days, she held on to what you taught her to believe in. i promise you, she did. ♪ i look to you ♪ and when melodies are gone

♪ in you i hear a song ♪ i look to you ♪ when all my ship is gone, in you i can be strong ♪ ♪ i look to you ♪ oh, i look to you ♪ and when melodies are gone, in you i hear a song ♪ ♪ i look to you

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appropriate on how i feel. about my nippy. don't grieve for me, for now i'm free. i'm following the path god laid for me. i took his hand when i heard him call. i turned my back and left it all. i could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work or play. tasks undone must stay that way.

i found that peace at close of day. if my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. a friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, oh, yes, these things i, too, will miss. be not burdened with times of sorrow, i wish you sunshine on tomorrow. my life's been full. i've savored much. good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

perhaps my time seemed all too brief, don't lengthen it now with undue grief. lift up your hearts and share with me. god, god, god wanted me now. he set me free. >> i love whitney houston. not because she's pretty -- i mean, she's pretty, 5'10", cocoa brown skin. that face, that smile, those eyes, but that's not why i love whitney houston.

i mean, not because she can sing. i mean, the girl sang, all right. i mean, what a voice. not a voice, the voice. hear me now. i love whitney houston. could it be the dancing? maybe not. maybe not that. but i love whitney houston. i'm telling you win love whitney houston. the hairstyles, i mean, come on, dance with somebody, the hair. what about the bow, and how will i know? the bow in the hair. you know what i mean. i love whitney houston. could it be for the outfits? i mean, nobody can wear a gown like whitney houston.

can i get an amen, church? nobody can wear a gown like whitney houston. that style, that grace, that smiling face. i love whitney houston for all those things and so much more. whitney houston. i love whitney houston for all those things, but so much more. whitney houston changed my life forever. by entrusting me, rickey from monroe, louisiana, with her career, with her music career. ♪ jesus loves me >> come on, everybody, all over the world, sing it. ♪ yes jesus loves me oh the bible tells me so ♪ >> i love you, whitney. [ applause ] there's more whole grain than any other ingredient.

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♪ i heard of a land in a place where it was beautiful for the soul ♪ ♪ built by jesus on high 'tis a land where we won't die ♪ ♪ it's a land where we will

never grow old ♪ ♪ i just want to say one time we'll never grow old ♪ ♪ we'll never never grow old there is a land where we'll never grow we won't grow old ♪ >> i want us to recognize that our faith in god must not be something that we attach to the end of our lives, but that we must prioritize.

that you make your decision based on your faith, that you walk according to what you believe. knowing that you can never say yes to god and god make you ashamed. that you can never put god first and god forget and leave you. i'm finished. thank you. [ applause ] every head bow father, we thank you for this life of whitney elizabeth nippy houston.

we thank you that she was a dear friend and we echo the sentiments of all that have come to show their love, but, father, i pray, by the power of the holy spirit that you would give all that are under the sound of my voice the thought to prioritize, to make you first for us not to talk about you but for us to live for you. let us leave here recognizing that whitney left too soon. let us leave here impacted by her life saying that i want to finish what god has started.

let us make you first. i pray that you would lift up mike and gary and pat and bobbi kristina, lift us cissy, lift u dionne, all of us that are hurting. father, we will not leave here bitter or upset, but let the church say amen. ♪ let the church say amen god has spoken ♪ ♪ so let the church say amen ♪ you my darling you

♪ bittersweet memories that is all i'm taking with me ♪ ♪ so good-bye please don't cry we both know i'm not what you need ♪ ♪ and i will always love you i will always love you ♪