Why I’m Torn About Whitney Houston’s Funeral Being Broadcast

February 16th, 2012 - By MN Editor

It has been less than a week since Whitney Houston unexpectedly passed away in her hotel room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, and ever since that day, it has been a frenzy. A wealth of media coverage, Internet trolls talking crazy about the singer for attention, interviews done with people who claimed to know her best and other interviews done by people who act like they know her but didn’t (sit down Dr. Drew). On top of that though, there has been a great outpouring of love for Whitney–for what she did in the past, a grief over what she could have done in the future, and just for the wonderful person she seemed to be, no matter what her trials were.

Everyday on the local news here in NYC, they show a crowd of people outside the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, signing cards, playing her music, leaving flowers and notes to commemorate the life of the Jersey-born songstress they idolized. They’ve been there since news broke of Houston’s death, and they keep coming back, more and more people. So when news broke earlier in the week that the family would not be holding Houston’s funeral at the massive Prudential Center where her face is currently emblazoned outside, some were mad, and some were sad, but understood the fact that the family didn’t want a huge “parade” as Pastor Marvin L. Winans called it.

But only a few days later, it was announced that to help Whitney’s fans get the closure they need, the funeral on Saturday would be streamed online, and could possibly even be available on television. As a fan, I can appreciate that the family would want to let the people, folks all over the world who loved her, share in the celebration of Whitney’s life. In Jersey, she was obviously a major figure, what with schools named after her and the fact that she used to rep Newark like no other. The sadness you hear in the voices and see in the eyes of those who wait outside the church (NOT those who peddle memorabilia outside of it…smh) is real, and they’re mourning too. I respect that the family recognizes how much Whitney loved her fans and how much they loved her back and want to share her in the end.

But I’d also like to say, as someone who lost someone very close to me unexpectedly as a young adult, I’m also a bit worried for Bobbi Kristina. Funerals in general are heart wrenching, but there’s something about a funeral for a sudden loss that occurs soon after that loss that are even more emotional. You never truly know how you will act on that day and during that ceremony until you step in the church and the reality of your loss sinks in. And when you’re younger and not used to such hits, it can be more difficult to hold it together. So while you might go in there with the hopes of holding it together, you never know how you’ll feel until it hits you. I was one year younger than Bobbi Kristina (she’s 18 now) when one of my siblings unexpectedly passed away. During the funeral, I think I held it together pretty well in front of the hundreds of friends and our family. However, I totally fell apart when they closed the casket. I yelped and literally could have fallen out right there in the funeral home. Emotions like that, which I’m thinking Bobbi might have seeing as she and her mother were more like sisters, in my mind, doesn’t really need to be seen or critiqued by the whole world, including the folks at CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and others.

I just think the grief of the family and those close to Whitney should remain amongst them. If Bobbi Kristina is all for it, then let it go on, but during it or when it’s all over, I’d rather not have the news or anyone else analyze, do a play by play, or make a mockery of how these people say their last goodbyes and how they pay their respects, because they’ve found every way possible to analyze how Whitney spent her last days (from analyzing old scratches on her to making accusations because her hair was messed up…smh again). Whether the family grieves quietly, or they find themselves rolling around on the floor in an inconsolable state, it happens, and if it does, that should be for them only if you ask me. But that’s just my opinion and something that was on my heart that I needed to say…

Photos courtesy of Topnews.in and People.com.

More on Madame Noire!

Tags:

, , , , , , , , , , ,
More from StyleBlazer
More from MommyNoire

Comment Disclaimer

Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN

  • Pingback: Hair Loss Nyc

  • Msmykimoto2u

    I reeeaaalllly wish they wouldnt go through with this. A funeral should be personal and not broadcast all over the world. I cant believe how much this upsets me

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rich-Meeting/100003481548303 Rich Meeting

    D_a_t_e___r-i-c-h___P_e_o_p_l_e___H_e_r_e

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rich-Meeting/100003481548303 Rich Meeting

    D_a_t_e___r-i-c-h___P_e_o_p_l_e___H_e_r_e

  • http://twitter.com/DTFunkyChocolat Dannie

    Funerals are meant for family and friends of the deceased to say their last farewells and reflect upon that person’s life. As much as fans love Whitney Houston’s voice/music, none of us know who she really was. We’re not family and we’re not friends. There’s absolutely no reason why the funeral should be broadcast, that family has dealt with enough of camera’s for a whole life time. Can’t they just have this one moment to themselves? 

  • http://twitter.com/DTFunkyChocolat Dannie

    Funerals are meant for family and friends of the deceased to say their last farewells and reflect upon that person’s life. As much as fans love Whitney Houston’s voice/music, none of us know who she really was. We’re not family and we’re not friends. There’s absolutely no reason why the funeral should be broadcast, that family has dealt with enough of camera’s for a whole life time. Can’t they just have this one moment to themselves? 

  • FromUR2UB

    Heeeeeey!!  Don’t put down internet readers.  How would this site exist without “trolls”.  Haha!

    I presumed a private ceremony would be held for family and close friends, and then a separate ceremony for the public.  That would provide the family the privacy they need, and the public a chance to pay respects.  Grief is very personal, and I wouldn’t want mine on display for the sake of voyeurism.

  • http://twitter.com/ecalhoun Liz

    Whitney was an icon, legend, and public figure.  We would televise the president’s funeral… why not hers?  She should be given the greatest homage and send-off that any other public figure would be given.  She deserves to celebrated and given a moment of reverence from the world.  It’s not like they are selling tickets to the funeral! They’re just allowing fans to reverence and mourn her as well.  I would think that because the funeral is going to be televised the family agrees with me on this.  If they didn’t, please know that they would have put a halt to it. 

  • JN31

    When an entertainer such as Whitney and MJ have touched so many and have a strong following of fans, the grieving family usually knows those fans who helped them become starts in life would want closure in death. Doesn’t mean it should be the norm, but it’s a way helping those fans have closure.

    In all honesty, celebrities live their lives in the public eye and it’s impossible and maybe naive for anyone to think that will go away once they pass on. We can’t put our own family experiences up for comparison if they were not a celebrity. There are people who pass on who may not be famous, but have touched peoples lives that others want to reach out and mourn as well. It’s like hearing a news story of a young child who passed away because of an unfit parent, or a man’s life taken away from an overzealous police officer. A complete stranger may be moved in a way that they want to show their respect.

    As for how someone may feel about putting the way they grieve for the public, I’m sure her family will make sure Bobbi Kristina is shielded from too much. She grew up in show business and around cameras and even if she’s full of raw emotion, then so be it. That’s ok if that is how she grieves. There may be a girl around her age going through a loss, and seeing Bobbi Kristina may help her overcome what she is going through.

    For anyone who thinks it’s too much and it will be a circus you can simply not watch it.

    • Veronica7

      I totally agree. It is unfortunate that she has died, but like presidents, public leaders and royals who have touched the world and had their funerals public access, so does icons. MJ had a private and public funeral, which is what I expected the family to do. I believe keeping closure from the public is down playing the affect she had on the world and her gifts. She wanted to share her talent with us and her life while on reality TV and we chose to receive and enjoy her. I love the fact that they are having it in a church and not the staples center. 

      I expect them to keep cameras OFF of the daughter and focus on the eulogy. Whitney meant a lot to music, like MJ. Sometimes people need to see a casket to fully grasp that this is not a media joke but a reality. I remember believing Tupac’s death was staged just because I didn’t see a funeral (I was in middle school). Although their are people with alternative motives, their are genuine people who are hurt behind this sudden loss. God bless you, Whitney.

      • JN31

        It’s ok, because here it is how many years later and I still have trouble believing Tupac is really gone! Lol.

        But in all seriousness I agree. I’m hoping the cameras will not solely be focused on catching the daughters reaction, and I do not see the family allowing it to be anymore than a tribute of the life of an amazing entertainer. 

  • Rmdavis45

    This is why it is important that the family have a private viewing that in itself will releived some of the pressure and sting having already done this there is no need to open the Casket again for anyone,some Funerals keep it open the entire time which is awfull at least for me at my Mom’s funeral and I was glad that I literally could not see her because I accidently left my glasses at home my heart was so broke and shattered to the extent that I didn’t go to the private viewing with my Family and I was 48 at the time not young like Bobbi K. still no matter what age it is difficult.Death is a traumatic thing and the loss of a mother is almost unbearable but I knew that I would see my mother again by means of the Ressurection so that gave me much solace and comfort and soon I was ok again so the good things that will be said about Whitney will ease the hurt and pain at present time and i am sure that Cissy will do all that she can too help Bobbi K. cope she will be as time pass..

  • JusSayin

    Why Is A Funeral Being Televised? Like Seriously? What are you going to do while you are watching it? sit on the couch playing Whitney Houston in the background or talk to your friend on the phone about how drugs killed Whitney? The media is steady making this a joke. I have NEVER seen this much publicity around someone’s death. Michael’s death was not made a mockery like this. They didn’t have these random theories, constant updates on family members mourning and people coming out to “apologize” about what they said. Yes. Whitney Houston did drugs. Got it. But she is still a woman who was in the business for more than 30 years. she is still being made a mockery of, how dare Clive Davis continue a party the same night (let alone the same hotel) Whitney’s body was lying in. And; now you want to televised the funeral? Lord only knows how many ignorant people will record it on their dvr or make a burned copy and sell it at the next beauty shop. SMH… people are just rude. 

  • HONEY LOVE

    I may seem weird for saying this but i would love to watch it. She was an iconic person what better to share something like that with her family and fans. Death is something that we ALL see have the pleasure of seeing. Ppl make it so eerie and taboo. It should be a celebrating, nothing taboo about it. Ppl saying “ooooh they wrong for that” will be the main ones watching. I know i will….Loved me some her. Its like your auntie dying. So i will be in attendance…..via tv

    • HONEY LOVE

      That comment i posted was all over the place *Death is something we ALL have the pleasure of seeing one day*

  • Gmaire

    I don’t think it’s necessary to have the funeral televised or streamed live. She still had a private family life at the end of the day and those who were closest to her should be able to mourn privately. HOWEVER it would be nice if there were a public memorial service-since she was a public figure- so that those fans and friends of friends who wish to have closure can do so.

  • SweetPea

    As much as fans may be upset—and lets be honest, many of the `fans`havent listened to a Whitney song in years, or even given her much thought, they just remember her from back in the day–they dont need the kind of closure that the family does. I watched MJ`s funeral, but i didnt need to, and i wouldnt want to watch anyone else`s. Funerals are for the family and close friends to say goodbye. they shouldnt be watched as they do it, much less by millions of strangers, and newsfolk giving a play by play.

    • Richard

       Amen.  Very well stated.

  • REGAL UK

    I would like to watch the funeral and see how Whitney is sent off…it will be upsetting but it will help bring closure to many of us fans. It’s like being there and saying good bye to her…just like we attend the funeral of our loved ones.

  • Fasho

    One part of me thinks that streaming the video is kinda creepy just like Michaels. I have a problem when family members record or take pictures its weird but I hope it is nice funeral where people can grieve in their own way and nobody get the fighting or arguing in there. Because it seems everyone took a part in her destruction but no one wants to admit it and tempers and emotions migh flare (Brown vs Houston)

    • Sugar_Spice

      I find that creepy too! I honestly think with it streaming live the family won’t be able to grieve like they want to because they’ll be aware that those cameras are around.

  • missthang84

    im shocked the funeral will be live stream or any other outlet to allow the public see the funeral michael jackson died but the family held it together so you didn’t see people falling screaming or showing a lot of emotion not until paris told the world how she felt about daddy.. however the news has been about bobbi k emotions and how she has screamed..been carried away in ambulance etc. with good reason.. as close as they were (bobbi k and mother) i know this girl is NOT GONNA hold back her emotions at the funeral considering the way her mother died.. i don’t know if I would want the media to make a mockery and front page news about the way i showed grief if i was in her shoes..she has the right to grieve and the right to privacy in showing her grief..however i also feel like a hypocrite because i DO want to see the funeral mainly to see the performers singing and i know i can’t see one without the other (performers and bobbi k grief)…..

    • http://twitter.com/LarryBnDC Larry Bellinger

      With all do respect, you don’t know what this young woman is going to do. She has the right to grieve but a woman of Whitney Houston’s stature – regardless of the circumstances surrounding her untimely demise – belongs to the ages AND the masses. This poor young woman will have to determine for herself how she expresses her grief be that in private or public.

      • tastythoughts

        i agree with msthang…

      • Richard

         I see your point (i think) but I do not agree that Whitney belongs to the masses at this point.  She is a performer to us as fans true, but to Bobbi and other family members she is mom, aunt, daughter, cousin, etc.  As a fan I love her music but have nothing invested in her emotionally because I only know of her through television and song.

        They as family have the right to set limitations as they see fit.  As an example, it was the family that decided not to have the funeral at a stadium  and to have it at a church right?  I could not imagine being a grieving family member having to deal with all of the chaos and madness.  Although Bobby is no longer family, go back to the video where he could barely get out of the secure area at the airport before being swarmed by reporters that could not even pronounce Bobbi’s name correctly.  All he was trying to do was get to his grieving daughter but the masses would not let him grieve privately either.

        At 18 it would be difficult to deal with something like this and I feel for Bobbi, especially since she does not have any other close siblings to help her get through this. I think it was kind of the family to take on the expenses involved with streaming and TV coverage for the fans, but I do not think it is something that should be required of them because we as fans feel we ought to have the right to be involved…even when we do not.