Fake Funeral Prank Causes Tears, Not Laughs

A woman thinks she’s going to meet a friend. When she gets there, she realizes that there’s a funeral going on — hers.

That’s the premise of this anti-speeding public service announcement from Belgium from Go For Zero, a campaign from the Belgian Institute for Road Safety that’s trying to bring their annual death rate from speeding-related accidents from 300 to nil.

According to the group, the fake funeral was set up by a family member who wanted to stage an intervention for a loved one who speeds. The film is a montage of a few people’s interventions captured on hidden camera.

The video ends with heartfelt tears and urges viewers to share it with their friends and family members, who are frequent speeders.

For those who want to follow along, here’s the English translated script, courtesy of Google:

0:07 They were going to meet up with a friend – at least that’s what they thought.
0:17 And what if you were invited, like them, to a funeral?
0:30 Your own funeral…
0:37 She had barely started her life on this earth.
0:42 Death may be difficult to accept, but it’s part of life after all.
0:48 Let’s take a moment to reflect on this.
0:59 Some close friends and family will now say a word.
1:07 I thought this only happened to others,
1:10 but here I am.
1:13 Why did you have to go?
1:16 Why you?
1:18 The person I did everything with.
1:20 With whom I could share everything.
1:22 I met you almost 20 years ago.
1:26 You are the brother I never had.
1:29 I remember those Sunday mornings.
1:31 We used to play catch on Mom and Dad’s bed.
1:35 We still had a list of things to do.
1:37 In April we were going to Brazil together.
1:42 It was the night of October 21.
1:45 The telephone rang.
1:48 But it wasn’t you.
1:50 It was the police.
1:53 Speeding, just this one time, marked the end of you.
1:56 I cannot and do not want to try and understand.
2:00 It feels so stupid: you in a coffin.
2:02 And me even more so standing up here talking to you.
2:07 My darling child.
2:11 I want to be strong.
2:13 But how is that possible? I am a father who is burying his daughter.
2:20 It’s terrible to see you plucked from our lives like that.
2:24 You were my friend, my support and my hope.
2:28 You fooled around again on the road and it was one time too many.
2:32 Kim, this time I can still ask you.
2:36 Please be careful when you are driving.
2:39 I don’t want to lose you.
2:42 Please never speed again.
2:44 We love you too much to lose you.
2:50 Please listen to me. Slow down.
2:54 Don’t leave me, son. I love you.
3:00 Convince your friends to drive more slowly before it is too late.
3:22 Share this video with them now.
3:27 Went too fast. Gone too soon.