Amazing.

PurpleCharm said:

I don't get all this messy talk about Aretha.

Me too. For some reason posters on here love bashing celebs for fun.

Aretha is old and sickly herself so maybe she backed out of the funeral for many reasons. Everyone grieves differently.

missfee said:

This part here is what did it for me. Where her song was playing in the church as the pall bearers lifted her coffin. Starts at 3:45.....

That was beyond sad.

neonlights said:

Amazing.

Beautiful

neonlights said:

Amazing.

R. Kelly hit a nerve with that song. Everybody was crying

The parts of the funeral that I really enjoyed and was moved was:

-In the beginning when the choir was singing

-Donnie McClurkin singing

-Tyler Perry's speech

-Kevin Costner's speech

-Stevie Wonder's flawless performance

-Kim Burrell

-CeCe singing "Yes, Jesus Loves Me"

-R. Kelly's performance

-Whitney's bodyguard speaking

-Bishop TD Jakes speaking

-The Recessional

[Edited 2/18/12 17:14pm]

neonlights said:

Amazing.

Yes he did an excellent job.

babybugz said:

missfee said:

This part here is what did it for me. Where her song was playing in the church as the pall bearers lifted her coffin. Starts at 3:45.....

That was beyond sad.

Sure was.

So sad seeing Cissy walking behind her daugther's coffin.

missfee said:

neonlights said:

Amazing.

Yes he did an excellent job.

He did.

neonlights said:

So sad seeing Cissy walking behind her daugther's coffin.

I know. That part stings me every time.

babybugz said:

missfee said:

This part here is what did it for me. Where her song was playing in the church as the pall bearers lifted her coffin. Starts at 3:45.....

That was beyond sad.

But also beautiful at the same time.

So moving, I swear. As far as I'm concerned, Tyler delivered the eulogy:

babybugz said:

Amazing.

R. Kelly hit a nerve with that song. Everybody was crying

He sure hit my nerve. This was the best celebrity funeral I ever seen...THE BEST!!!!

missfee said:

neonlights said:

So sad seeing Cissy walking behind her daugther's coffin.

I know. That part stings me every time.

Yeah, I dropped tears when she was about to go down

babybugz said:

missfee said:

This part here is what did it for me. Where her song was playing in the church as the pall bearers lifted her coffin. Starts at 3:45.....

That was beyond sad.

That's the saddest part of funerals for me and also when they lower the casket into the ground...I always fall apart.

I don't know who the pall bearers were but they did a masterful job. That's gotta be harder than it looks.

i just listened to Aretha Franklin's interview with Al Roker, and i can say i feel Ms Franklin was very honorable in declining any comment regarding Whitney and Bobby Brown's marriage/relationship.

she was cool!

mjscarousal said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Aretha Franklin is 69 years old and not in the best of health herself. She was close to Whitney and her family, so I know this had to be an especially trying time for her. She's also contractually obligated to perform at whatever concerts she had booked before Whitney's passing. She said, she wanted to be at the funeral and sing but she couldn't because she needs her rest, to keep her moving on.

That's good enough for me and for anyone that doesn't like it...that's just too motherfucking bad! Because they'll be the same ones talking more stupid shit, if Heaven forbid, Aretha had shown up, turned the church out as only SHE could, still went to her show tonight and something tragic happened to her tomorrow.

For all those talking reckless about Aretha Franklin and what SHE should have done, it is my honor to say on her behalf!

I love Aretha and all but I dont think that is an excuse. This wasnt a tribute concert to Whitney this was HER FUNERAL... Besides health reasons, NOTHING excuses that. There have been people in the middle of filming movies that change their whole schedule around to attend a movie or concerts thats not a good reason especially when she can always reschedule.

As I said, Aretha Franklin is 69 years old, not in the best of health herself and has been rehearsing, performing and traveling pretty much non-stop, all of this week. Under the added stress of Whitney's passing.

She's booked to perform tonight at Radio City. Do you honestly think that the people that paid to see that performance would have been okay with her rescheduling it, to be at Whitney's funeral? How about all the people whose livelyhood depends on Aretha performing tonight at Radio City? Would they have been okay with her rescheduling to be at Whitney's funeral?

Aretha did what was best for her, which was the right thing for her to do, given the circumstances!

Her not personally being at the funeral was not by any far fetched, stretch of the imagination, some form of uncaring disrespect on her part.

[Edited 2/18/12 17:31pm]

missfee said:

So moving, I swear. As far as I'm concerned, Tyler delivered the eulogy:

Wow... I usually don't dig Tyler but he definitely told the truth here...

babynoz said:

babybugz said:

That was beyond sad.

That's the saddest part of funerals for me and also when they lower the casket into the ground...I always fall apart.

I don't know who the pall bearers were but they did a masterful job. That's gotta be harder than it looks.

Yeah I know, it's more difficult than it looks, but her pall bearers were excellent.

free2bfreeda said:

i just listened to Aretha Franklin's interview with Al Roker, and i can say i feel Ms Franklin was very honorable in declining any comment regarding Whitney and Bobby Brown's marriage/relationship.

she was cool!

And I applaud her on that myself.

Timmy84 said:

missfee said:

So moving, I swear. As far as I'm concerned, Tyler delivered the eulogy:

Wow... I usually don't dig Tyler but he definitely told the truth here...

Yes he did. That man knows his bible.

missfee said:

So moving, I swear. As far as I'm concerned, Tyler delivered the eulogy:

Tyler Perry and Kevin Costner are getting the most complimentary comments it seems and I agree.

The Winans singing Tomorrow was my favorite song selection.

Timmy84 said:

missfee said:

So moving, I swear. As far as I'm concerned, Tyler delivered the eulogy:

Wow... I usually don't dig Tyler but he definitely told the truth here...

This was the only time I've ever liked him.

That was a fitting if very sad end to a remarkable but all too short life. Cissy...

prodigalfan said:

Cinnamon234 said:

Honestly, it wouldn't surpise me. I think Aretha is very sensitive about her status in the music industry and perhaps may have felt threatened at all of the praise for Whitney's voice especially. I've noticed that when Aretha spoke about Whitney in recent interview, she was VERY careful with her words in regards to Whitney's talent. I've seen her state several times that Whitney knew how to be a real "star" but never really talked about or brought up Whitney's singing talent.

All i've heard her say is that Whitney "could sing" but she seemed reserved or hesitant to praise Whitney's talent beyond that.

I don't know. It could be in my head, but this is the feeling that I get. I don't think jealousy is the reason she canceled though. As you said, who know's why? But I really wished she could have been there.

um, no

I saw a youtube video that Aretha was in concert in the last few days and sung Whitney's song, I will always love you. 4

She was playing the piano and started the first few notes.

People didn't recognize the song yet and Aretha introduced the song by saying she was giving homage to the greatest singer to ever stand in front of a mic. By that time, the audience recognized the music as the music to Whitney's song and stood up on their feet.

Then Aretha said, This is for Whitney Elizabeth Houston... and went on to sing the song.

To me, if ARETHA FRANKLIN calls you the greatest singer to ever stand in front of a mic... that means she thinks you are better than herself... and everybody else.

I can't believe that Aretha wasn't at the funeral... but I don't think she was jealous of Whitney.

Her comments at that concert, her comments out of the blue to Wendy Williams a few months back commending Wendy for saying what she said to Whitney to me sounds like Aretha loved Whitney like a mama bear and wanted the best for her.

Over and over in interviews this week, she talked about Whitney having challenges, and how hopeful and relieve she felt when she thought Whitney had turned the coner on her recovery and comeback.

I absolutely loved this tribute she did. The quickness that people are ready to throw Aretha under a bus is sickening.

AlexdeParis said:

Timmy84 said:

Wow... I usually don't dig Tyler but he definitely told the truth here...

This was the only time I've ever liked him.

Likewise...

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

As I said, Aretha Franklin is 69 years old, not in the best of health herself and has been rehearsing, performing and traveling pretty much non-stop, all of this week. Under the added stress of Whitney's passing.

She's booked to perform tonight at Radio City. Do you honestly think that the people that paid to see that performance would have been okay with her rescheduling it, to be at Whitney's funeral? How about all the people whose livelyhood depends on Aretha performing tonight at Radio City? Would they have been okay with her rescheduling to be at Whitney's funeral?

Aretha did what was best for her, which was the right thing for her to do, given the circumstances!

Her not personally being at the funeral was not by any far fetched, stretch of the imagination, some form of uncaring disrespect on her part.

[Edited 2/18/12 17:31pm]

i'm in total agreement. considering Ms Franklin's recent health issues. it was serious. some of the media predicting she might pass due to her illness.

Ms Franklin was released from the hospital barely 3mos ago after fighting pancreatic cancer. the lady will be 70yrs on march 25th. not to mention how Whitney's death may have affected her emotional well-being.

sometimes all of us have to make difficult decisions that are "best for our own selves," and others will judge us possibly similiar to how many are judging aretha for not attending Whitney Houston's funeral.

[Edited 2/18/12 17:55pm]

The home going service made me sad. God I will miss her. At least she's resting in peace, no tabloids, media scrutiny, voice concern, fake friends etc can hurt her now. Rest in Peace Whitney. The world was watching her service today. With MJ and Whitney gone, what other black icon do you think would get this kind of coverage? I can't really think of any.

Tylers words were good because they were sincere for a change because most of the time their not. I still think the preacher did a very good word and what he said not only applied to Whitney but to everyone. Overall, the funeral was very well put together and classy like a funeral should be.