The decision to publish a photograph of dead Whitney Houston in her coffin on National Enquirer cover has been widely criticized as a tasteless move by the sensationalist publication.

The source of the picture of Whitney Houston in an open casket is still in question, with the owners of the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark saying that it was nothing to do with them.

Whitney Houston ‘s funeral home owners have denied any direct links to the picture published by the National Enquirer.

Carolyn Whigham, speaking for the funeral home is quoted on the Chicago Tribune website as saying: “I’m going to answer you as the [family’s] publicist told me to answer you: We have no comment. But it was not the funeral home.”

The publication of the photograph has upset many, though others have been unable to overcome their curiosity and have made the trip to the newsstands to purchase a copy.

Whitney Houston’s picture in casket published by National Enquirer

Diana Moss of Chicago was interviewed after purchasing a copy, saying that although she does not normally buy the National Enquirer and thought the photo to be in poor taste, she shelled out the $3.79 cover price because her daughter wanted to see it: “I normally don’t buy these, but she was curious to see [Whitney Houston’s photo].”

Fox News has also reported that the publisher of the National Enquirer has said that she thought the photo was “beautiful.”

There is no credit for the photograph but nobody has officially claimed that the image is fraudulent.