Visitors: Whitney Houston Fans Take Over N.J. Cemetery, Block Others From Visiting Own Loved Ones

Fairview Closed Sunday For Star's Family; Now Come Worries It Will Become Zoo

February 20, 2012 11:00 PM

The grave site of singer Whitney Houston located in the East Ridge section of the Fairview Cemetery on February 20, 2012 in Westfield, New Jersey. (credit: Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images)

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WESTFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — There is now outrage over Whitney Houston’s burial. Visitors to the New Jersey cemetery said Monday they were blocked from the graves of loved ones.

Meanwhile, Houston’s fans began visiting her final resting place, reports CBS 2’s Emily Smith.

Photos: Whitney Houston’s Funeral

Photos: Whitney Houston Remembered

A steady stream of fans stood before Houston’s grave site. A huge pile of flowers, balloons and notes on were left on the spot where her grave stone will soon be placed. It was an emotional day for those who miss Houston and the memories her love songs trigger triggered all kinds of feelings.

“I lost my wife and I know what it feels like. I miss her very much,” one mourner said.

As the crowds got larger Monday police had to put up barricades around Houston’s grave site. Until then, fans had to show their love and support by leaving mementos at a memorial in Newark or by lining the streets to see the gold hearse carrying Houston’s body to Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.

“I love her. I love her music and I am honored it is open to the public, so we are here today to say goodbye,” Rowena Maesta of Westfield.

“I was just on my way to work and I thought I would just stop in,” a Scotch Plains woman named “Doreen” told 1010 WINS’ Steve Sandberg.

She was the first non-family member to pay her respects at the grave, Sandberg reported.

“Well, it’s a beautiful cemetery and she was an icon of New Jersey, so I think it’s a proper place for her to be,” Doreen said.

But some who are overwhelmed by grief and loss of their own loved ones are worried Fairview Cemetery will turn into a zoo. It was closed all day Sunday for Houston’s family. On Monday it was crowded with fans.

“My wife always says to her mother ‘I will see you tomorrow.’ She came on Saturday. She wasn’t allowed to come on Sunday. That is not right,” Jeff Latawiec said.

“I passed by here. It was all blocked off. You couldn’t get in.”

Privacy for Houston’s family is well deserved — everyone agrees — but to shut out others for an entire day meant some had to miss marking an anniversary of their own loved one’s deaths.

CBS 2 tried to reach out to cemetery officials, but did not get a response right away.

The 48-year-old singer died Feb. 11 in California just hours before she was to attend a pre-Grammy Awards party.

“She deserves to be at a place where it’s nice and calm for her. Finally for once she doesn’t have to deal with all the craziness,” a man named Jason told Sandberg. “It means a lot to me. It puts warmness in my heart.”

Please leave your thoughts on Houston’s passing in our comments section below.

Visitors: Whitney Houston Fans Take Over N.J. Cemetery, Block Others From Visiting Own Loved Ones

http://andypandie.wordpress.com andypandie

You need REHAB for a hate filled heart!! I am not a drinker or drug user either. BUT I have compassion in my heart for people who SUFFER in life.

Doug Glass

Thank you for being our conscious and our moral compass. Without you stepping forward and piloting all our rudderless ships in the right direction, the direction of your sole opinion, we’d all be lost in the bright light of individuality and original thought. It’s so comforting to know we have you to think for us, make decisions for us and decide for us what is politically correct if not just plain best thinking. Thank goodness for people like you who have the corner on correct thinking. We are so blessed you have decided to direct our minds and lives down the correct path of true redemption.

Buck O’Fama

Got Dam that’s funny. Andy needs to hike his panties up, dry the tears and soldier on. Whitney would have wanted him to. Bwhaaaaaaaa.

Andria Hiselman

My heart sinks seeing this grave site. The hours I blasted her cd’s as a twenty something woman will always be a sweet memory. How I loved “that voice”. Thank you Mama Houston for such a gift!!
Roger Dudley

Has everybody not forgotten the words of Martin Luther King jr. That man fought for the negro community to have a voice. My word Whitney Houston gave them that voice and was a shining light. With her status in the world of music assured for generations to come that alone gives her the right to rest in peace. Those that wish to see her final resting place should in my view be allowed to visit at times that suits everybody.
JGNY

Whitneys Mother just wanted to bury her with the dad. The crowds are the result of a bunch of half wit, gloomy people who just want to be part of someone they did not know. In addition, these are probably the same dopes who sit around watching Oprah and celebrating the celebs who say “I love you” on any stage in America to keep the dollars flowing. in reality, they love themselves and the dopes showing up her were part of the meal ticket for so long. Whitney, yes a great talent. But the people going there should be told only to come at certain times and days. In addition, the people who have loved ones can easly prove it and should be given entry. Clearly the cemetry has no experience with this issue
rose hampton

i was , just as the world was shocked at the tragic and sudden death of music icon whitney houston. she was well loved by so many. i was sad when i heard of her death because 16 yrs earlier on feb 11, 1996, was the anniversary of my husbands passing as well as feb 11, 1964 my grandmother also died on this day. i believe everything happens for a reason. whitney was tired of the rumors, lies and the hurt she felt over the yrs by people who have either, used, hurt or done her injustice. leave this woman to be at peace. she is with her lord jesus christ, and yes she is gone, but she will never be forgotten,… rest in peace mrs. houston. and may god bless you and your family in this trying tim …
elly

If the fans made it thru the cemetery to visit the Houston grave, I’m quite sure nobody else was blocked from visiting their loved ones. Whiners.

beazr

you need to re-read the article

elly

This is a public cemetery. The Houston family had every right to bury their daughter wherever they chose. It’s a given that fans will visit. You don’t like that families of those buried there? Get over it. Undoubtedly your loved one has been there for some time so come back later when the frenzy wears down. You were denied access for one lousy day…..oh, boo-hoo.

WJR

Yes, it is a PUBLIC cemetery. That means that it should be open to anyone who wants to visit a lost loved one…..no just the people who want to continue this ridiculous sideshow.

Stormey

WJR

did they close the cemetery for anyone else buried there? No. Family who have loved buried there should be allowed to visit their loved ones. It is a very simple thing to do, show the name of your loved one buried there and you get in. Fans, must stay outside of the cemetery. It is a public cemetery but that does not mean you can barge in by the hundreds to look at a burial plot. Use some common sense, respect all the graves. Houston was not more important then all of the others buried there.

armedinTN

Ah, but the dope heads that want to glorify their crack head queen have no right to block their entrance regardless of what day it is. I say let the other families block the entrance so they can properly pay their respects and then we’ll see how the idiots (you included) react when they can’t leave their used herion bags in memorium for their leader. Don’t play in big peop’e's room without the proper credentials.

Angelica

It was Whitney’s choice and dream to be a public figure, which indeed she became. Her worldwide fans through their love and support of her, in buying her music, attending her concerts and purchasing her official merchandise, benefited not only Whitney, but I am sure her close and extended family also. Whilst I fully appreciate their personal loss and suffering, it seems unfair that they wish to exclude the very essence of such fan adulation which has supported their lifestyles for so many years. To many fans like myself, it is surely a way of connection with someone who we loved and valued. I hope that the family and the cemetery officials can work out a reasonable arrangement that would allow such fans to visit her resting place to pay their respects and thanks for her life. Peace, respect and love to all. Forever in my mind. R.I.P. Whitney.
Kaylee

Oh my god, what is with all you negative people ! I’ve never seen people so rude ! … What gives you the right to say these nasty comments ? A woman just died, a mother lost her daughter and daughter just lost her mom., Have you no respect ?? Sure Whitney made some bad choices in her life- but hasn’t everyone? Just as you are all being so mean – you yourself are making a bad choice – and you are ignorant enough to show it . And those of you complaining about the Cemetery – give it a rest and do yourself and everyone else a favor and stop. They had every right to close it for one day – to give the family their private time to say good-bye. There was no way around it. It was closed only one day – not a big deal.

WJR

“They had every right to close it for one day – to give the family their private time to say good-bye”

Are you kidding? What “right” do they have to close a public facility? They should have drug tested everyone who was there.
ME

“They had every right to close it for one day – to give the family their private time to say good-bye. There was no way around it. It was closed only one day – not a big deal.”
No, they did not have ‘the right’ to close a public cemetery for the day. The right to do that stops when it infringes on my right to visit a loved one that is buried there. The fans that are flocking to the cemetery to pay respects to someone they didn’t know and acting like they have a right to crowd the cemetery and prevent visits by people who DO have loved ones buried there, are pathetic. They need to get a life… yes, you were her fans and you bought her records…that does not give you a ringside seat to her funeral or to act like her family owes you anything. And Kaylee, just because you don’t see the importance of visiting a dead loved one on a specific day, doesn’t mean that it isn’t important to someone else. You are a incredibly insensitive and I hope that someday you don’t regret saying that not getting to visit a loved one’s grave on an important date is “no big deal”

Stormey

ME

Loved your comments. Nice to see someone in here with common sense. I agree 199% with you.

My thoughts

You without sin cast the first stone. There’s no perfect people. I’m sure those leaving nasty comments love or have loved someone with an addiction. I don’t agree with cemetery being closed all day. However the managers of the property allowed it so take up your complaints with them…

Andria Hiselman

Yes, thank you.
Sayin

“There’s no perfect people” Nice way to make your point.

There ARE no perfect people. There IS perfect grammar.

My thoughts

Yep, just what you said there are no perfect people, that includes YOU!!!!

Billy

I guess MOSY comes from a family of PIGS. If she anything like the Houstons and the Preacher Man They are BIG PIGS. You see Preacher Man grabbed his money and is already back in his home town. Wanted nothing to do with Newark. Took his $3500.00 and ran before he got mugged.They only put rooters in gold hearses. RIDE ON____RIDE ON
Whitney Was A Chunk of Stool In The Toilet Bowl

OH YES WE ARE ALL JEALOUS OF A CRACK ADDICTED DRUNK THAT DIED BECAUSE OF HER JUNKIE LIFESTYLE. GOLLY GEE I WANNA BE JUST LIKE HER! WHERE DO I SIGN UP?

Len

You and all the others like you on this site and others like it who vomit this kind of venom about Whitney Houston, will undoubtedly tell all and sundry what great admirers you are of the founding fathers of this country. Yet, among them, were slaveowners who found nothing wrong with it, or the mistreatment of black people in this country. i guess it’s different strokes for different folks and a selective approach to sinful behavior. Yes, Whiney had her faults, but she is worthy of all the honor being heaped on her. if King David were alive today, we wouldn’t have the psalms, because people like yourselves would be pronouncing yourselves judge, jury and executioner. RIP Whitney, they and their ilk can never reaach you. You were and are a blessing in one day to many more than these maggots will ever be in a lifetime.

Connie

Oh I wondered when the slave owners would be brought into the mix. Good God, why must the Negros of the country not leave it alone? How many years ago were your people “enslaved”? Look what happened to millions of Jews at the hands of Hitler. I suppose that just because Whitney Houston was black we should all just ignore the booze and drugs and the mess she made of herself and raise her high up to that pedestal. People will be wailin’ and moanin’ for her for a long time. Hand me a barf bag, I feel more venom coming up…..

Jim

And, who would want, what you been smoking?

Jim

This was not for you Len.

http://andypandie.wordpress.com andypandie

YOU and other’s will soon find out it was XANAX. Many, many people are dying every day from the mixture of alcohol and BENZO”S. If you are unaware of these tragic BENZO’S. Educate yourself sir. Vet’s are dying as a result of these as well. I would know how horrific these are. I just used 1 mg daily. After one month you are HOOKED. It took four hospital stays, 10 ER visits, two ambulance rides ALL IN SEVEN months sir. I still suffer from Neuropathy…I’m sure you don’t know what that means, insomnia and panic attacks. My nervous system is screwed up due to one little harmless looking pill that resembled an asprin. No doctor warned me of it’s dependent nature. they are handing these out like CANDY! It’s an epidemic in America and Europe. Mark my words I know it’s XANAX and booze that slipped her off. People don’t wake up. YOUR A MORON!

Kay

I agree, Stevie Nicks actually conquered the addiction of Klonopin, going into rehab and doing real work, then making it public to warn and teach us about these drugs. Funny how no one cares about a success story, just tragic drama and the ones who failed not the ones who succeeded.

These drugs are killing all kinda of people not just celebrities and everyone is blind to this. I still can’t believe she thought she could drink with these poisons (benzos)

I agree it is the ON:LY reason she is dead. I am sure she would want all of us to learn and the public be educated. She did not learn from other star’s deaths but we all can from her death.

the bitch

another byonce .. if you blocked me from going to my graves that i paid for then you better pay up cause a law suite would be in the works .. who the hell do the houstons think they are and the morons who support the idiot family . messes
brian

let go and let god??????
edwina r murrow

stop the madness now. stop interfering with the rights of those whose loved ones have been there for a long time. if you truly want to honor your idol, contribute to the school who the family specified as the charity. please cbs & others, pull the story lines NOW.

elly

She’s as much a part of that cemetery now as any other person buried there. Most people there have been there for some time, so if those that visit them have to wait a few days, so be it. They’ll need to get over it. and you edwina need a hobby.

WJR

elly…why should this addict’s family have special rights? No one should have to wait a few days.

Genny

The cemetary should only have been closed til whitney was buried.Then it should have been reopened for the public to come in.People are just gonna have to get over it!!!!! She was a star like it or not,And she deserved the Royal treatment she got.Rest In Peace Whitney!!!!!

NJ

in reply to genny she was no more royalty then you or i and no she did not deserve to be treated like one . just because a person has money and can sing they are no better then anyone else and therefore deserves to be treated no beter then you or anyone else

Nyc

She had the talent, the money and the generosity, none of which you have which makes her special, NJ.

NJ

Why are my teacher if you think so get a life
NYC is right

You put it right NYC she HAD money she HAD talent and she used to be generous.So I am glad someone else agrees she was a has-been.Only thing that is sad is that these so called fans are keeping people from grieving their loved ones.

JEAN

BRAVO WELL SAID , WHY STOP LOVE ONES FROM BEING AT THE GRAVE OF FAMILY AND OR LOVE ONE , WHAT ABOUT OUR BRAVE ONES THAT LOST THERE LIFE FOR US WHERES THE LOVE THERE? WELL SAID NJ

NJ

TY

elly

Learn to spell if you expect to be taken seriously.
Stormey

NJ

well said and thank you for the comments.

Who IsShe?

What is the big deal here about this woman? For the last 20 years if you wanted to screw her all you needed was a pipe and some rock, now that she is dead everyone is up in arms, enough already and get to reality.
Who IsShe?

Instant lawsuit, if i was this guy and I was blocked from visiting a deceased wife, I would sue them for everything they had, including the 18 cents in this drug addicts estate.
NJ

I personally think that it is really discusting that others could not get to visit thier loved ones and houstons relatives should be ashamed of themselves .who the heck do they think they are better then everyone else at everyones elses expense . they are not the only ones to lose a loved one . get real so she was a singer but now shes gone get on with life and stop making everyones elses life misserable and let them into the cemetary to visit thier loved ones .and as for the fans get into a single line so others can get in to see thier loved ones because you yourself would also be pretty upset if you couldn’t see and pay your respects . so please have some consideration for others.

Nyc

I personally think you need to learn how to spell and form sentences properly.

friend

Judge not. We all make mistakes in our lives. Have mercy.
Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. Everyone needs Love.
Choose to give it freely. Let your fears go.
Take a deep breath and be still–find peace within.
Fed Up With The Whitney Houston PITY PARTY!!

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A NEWS BULLETIN ABOUT THIS EVERY DAY UNTIL THE END OF TIME? THE STORY HAS BEEN MILKED TO DEATH AND THIS JUNKIE NEVER DESERVED IT. ENOUGH, DONE NEXT.
mosy

You pigs are jealous because you’ll never get such recognition. Grow up and stop being jjealous. R.I.P Whitney. We love you xx
ken

How many are paying respects to the thousands of US troops killed while protecting our country?
Sad! Priorities are way off!
edwina r murrow

dear cbs (& other news outlets): the story has run its course. please take it down
Billy

I hear that Preacher man got paid $3,500 for doing the service. Almost as much as Rabbi’s. I would sit there for 4 hrs and say Amen for that kind of money.And by the way “DON’T disgrace my Flag for a JUNKIE.

My thoughts

What business is it of anyone how much the Pastor was paid that’s between him and those paying him. People need to mind their own BUSINESS!!!!!!