After yesterdays article “Angelina Jolie Wanted to be a Funeral Director” some chatter started about Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks’ actually planning to open a funeral business as part of the currently airing season. I do not watch the show so I was not in tune to what is going on, but after some searching it appears the reality star is indeed planning to open a funeral business, but not just any normal funeral business.
In an interview with ESSENCE.com Phaedra said this about her desire to open a funeral business:
“I developed a big desire to be in the funeral home business about five or six years ago,” she tells ESSENCE.com. “A lot of my friends unfortunately committed suicide, a few of them died of illnesses and a few were actually murdered. The planning of their homegoing services sparked an interest in me. It involved where I wanted to know the whole science of the mortuary business.”
In a recent interview with Black Voices Phaedra was asked how her business was coming along;
“It’s coming. I’m trying to really make sure I position myself at the right location. I’ve been meeting with people and do my research. With any business, you have to do some due diligence. I can’t move to a town where ain’t nobody dying. You need to know your market. I’ve been studying and trying to find a place where there are a lot of deaths, a lot of rivers for people to drown in and a lot of motorcycles.”
Phaedra goes on to explain that she’s developing a boutique funeral home, much like her boutique law firm, specializing in people who want to do a little something extra for their deceased loved one:
“It’s a good fit for me because I don’t want to bury everybody. I want it to be a boutique funeral service just like my law firm. We’re giving people a great service; we’re black folks, so we’ll have a good party at the repast and some wonderful white horses and carriages and doves along with bejeweled programs and quilts with faces. I got all kinds of ideas.”
Apparently, seeing Phaedra’s attitude and pizazz about funerals has given comfort to many, including comedian Kathy Griffin. She told WetPaint:
“It actually has taken away my fear of mortality and death, knowing that when it’s my time and when the lord calls, Phaedra will put me in a pretty satin box and then there will be a hearse that lights up and I will drive through the streets of Atlanta with my dead hand waving at NeNe.”
During Episode 2 of the current season airing now Phaedra is facing a roadblock from her husband Apollo who she is hoping will help her in the business. Here is a clip of the two talking about the business:
If you watch The Real Housewives of Atlanta and have more info we would love to know what is really going on.
How do you feel about reality TV’s portrayal of the funeral industry? From a funeral director being on the Bachelor to a Real Housewives of Atlanta star thinking it would be fun to open a funeral home. Is it good for the profession?
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