Contrary to the initial reports, the services, to be held at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, will be a small and intimate affair attended by only invited guests.

Nearly a dozen celebrities and personalities have been invited for the memorial, the CNN reported.

Gospel singer and pastor Marvin L Winans, a longtime friend of the Houston family, will give the eulogy. Winans officiated at her 1992 marriage to R&B singer Bobby Brown.

Winans said the family decided not to hold a public memorial because they did not want to have a parade.

Although the family is not commenting on Houston's burial location, her death certificate filed Wednesday in Los Angeles lists it as Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey.

Aretha Franklin, Houston's godmother, has been asked to sing at the funeral, which begins at noon, Franklin's spokeswoman said.

Others confirmed on the guest list are Chaka Khan, Bebe & CeCe Winans, songwriter Diane Warren, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, pop singer Darlene Love, Bishop T D Jakes, Antonio "LA" Reid, Ray J and Brandy.

Chaka Khan was a close friend of Houston. Reid produced many of Houston's songs and Jakes co-produced Houston's last film, "Sparkle," which is scheduled to be released this summer.

"I will always love you" singer, 48, was found dead in the bathtub of her suite at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, hours before she was to attend a pre-Grammys party.