Has Enquirer Gone Too Far With Whitney Houston Open Casket Photo?

The National Enquirer

has published a photo of  Whitney Houston in an open casket on the cover of this week's issue, sparking outrage over whether the tabloid has finally gone too far.

The unauthorized picture, accompanied by the headline "Whitney: The Last Photo," shows Houston lying in a gold coffin with cream-colored lining accentuated with her childhood nickname, "Nippy," and music symbols. Houston is wearing a purple dress, a broach and earrings.

According to the U.K.'s Daily Mail, the Enquirer claims the picture was taken at the private viewing held at Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, N.J., last Friday,  on the eve of Houston's funeral. The Enquirer did not reveal who took the picture, and there was  no credit on the photo.

The image has provoked a strong reaction on Twitter. "No privacy for Whitney, even in death," one person tweeted "Disgusting," tweeted another.

More than 1,000 friends and relatives, including Oprah Winfrey, Kevin Costner and Tyler Perry, gathered for the funeral service for the pop star at her childhood church, New Hope Baptist in Newark.

Houston's lifeless body was found in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel the night before the Grammy Awards. She was 48 years old when she died.