The funeral this Saturday for pop superstar Whitney Houston will be televised, according to media reports. CNN reported that the event is being made available for television and Internet outlets.

The funeral will be held at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., Houston’s childhood church.

CNN indicated it will have special coverage along with tributes to Houston. The cable channel said Piers Morgan, Soledad O’Brien and Don Lemon will be among the CNN personalities covering the event, beginning at 11 a.m. ET Saturday. The funeral is expected to begin at noon ET, and a special “CNN Presents” on Houston’s life and death is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

The CNN report adds: “Publicists and entertainers by Wednesday had confirmed nearly a dozen celebrities and personalities will be in some of the 1,500 coveted, ‘invitation-only’ seats. Gospel singer and pastor Marvin L. Winans, a longtime friend of the Houston family, will give the eulogy at New Hope Baptist Church. Winans officiated at Houston’s 1992 marriage to R&B singer Bobby Brown.”

Aretha Franklin, who is Houston’s godmother, has reportedly been asked to sing at the funeral.

Other guests who reportedly have been confirmed include the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Chaka Khan, Darlene Love, Bebe and CeCe Winans, songwriter Diane Warren, L.A. Reid and Brandy.