as chris knowles reports the celebration of her life was full of song and some controversy. >> reporter: about 11500 friends and relatives of whitney houston gathered for a final farewell at the church where she sang as a child. >> what i know about her is that she loved the lord. and if that was a grace that carried her all the way through, it was the same grace that carried her home. >> reporter: tyler perry celebrated houston's faith while "the bodyguard" co-starve kevin costner spoke of houston's courage when she wasn't sure she was good enough for the film. >> i held her hand and told she looked beautiful and told her i would be with her every step of the way. >> reporter: the spiritual advisor to the family delivered her eulogy. >> father, we thank you for this life of whitney elizabeth "nippy" houston. >> for whitney, the angel from the choir. >> reporter: the pop superstar was celebrated in song by stephie wonder, r kelley and gospel singers and alicia keys. >> it's a long, long way to heaven. but i got to get there. >> reporter: houston's ex-husband bobby brown was invited to t

chris knowles joins from new jersey. rm, is that the case, chris? >> yes, in fact. she is too ill to even attend the service today. we have no report on what her condition is specifically other than she won't be here and, of course won't be performing today. we will see performances from many other artists and what is really going to be a star-studded sendoff. >> friends and family will bid a final farewell to whitney houston today at a private service at a church where she sank as a child. >> going to celebrate her life to the standard in which she deserves. and this is a church. and we will have some church. >> tends say they will remember her as the little girl from new jersey. but the sendoff will be fit for a superstar. >> houston's costar in "the bodyguard" is set to speak. the estimated 1500 attendees can expect performances from artists including stevie wonder. alicia keys and. aretha franklin had been tapped to sing "the greatest love of all." >> houston was found dead in a beverly hills hotel room. the toxicolog