Whitney Houston is being disrespected and dishonored in a way no one ever should—her purported lifeless body is sprawled across the front cover of the National Enquirer in an open casket.
The supposed picture is of the “I Will Always Love You” singer in her golden casket next to the caption that salaciously reads: “Whitney: Her Last Photo!” Inside Her Private Viewing.”
While the world was privy to see the Queen of Pop’s golden casket because the Houston family was gracious enough to allow Whitney’s funeral to be televised and streamed online for her worldwide fans, the public was not at liberty to see their daughter, sister, mother, aunt, goddaughter, and friend in such a private way. And that stipulation should have been scrupulously honored.
The professed photo of the late singer was taken at the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, New Jersey, obviously without consent of the family. So, who joined in on this immoral and seedy act of taking the photo and actually selling the photo to the reduced magazine is nameless.
“I’m going to answer you as the publicist told me to answer you: We have no comment. But it was not the funeral home,” said Carolyn Whigham, the funeral home director, before adding to the UK Daily Mail, “You guys are getting me in the middle.” (Referring to the media)
“I am very angry, very upset, just like the family, just like the fans. We don’t like it because it implicates us. Whitney was a personal friend to me and my family. We would not do that. The viewing was done in privacy. It was between a mother, a daughter, two brothers and a family,” said Carolyn who also says that the family wishes for the funeral home not to release any further statement about the alleged singer’s last photo.
To add insult to injury, the Enquirer goes on to talk about the legendary icon’s jewelry along with what she is wearing from head to feet.
The National Enquirer is notorious for running stories that upstanding publications won’t, but have they gone too far with this photo?
“I’m going to answer you as the publicist told me to answer you: We have no comment. But it was not the funeral home,” Whigham said. She then expressed irritation with the media. “You guys are getting me in the middle,” she said, adding that the publicity is making her business look bad.
Photos: Whitney Houston’s funeral
Asked to elaborate, she said: “I am very angry, very upset, just like the family, just like the fans,” referring to the publication of the photo. “We don’t like it because it implicates us. Whitney was a personal friend to me and my family. We would not do that.”
