[Article Updated]
TLC is kickin’ the funeral profession out of the way as they prepare to put the ‘fun’ back in funeral.
On December 26th they will be airing a reality show featuring Golden Gate Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas called ‘Best FuneralEver’.
Here is more from TLC about the show:
The network has ordered a special/backdoor pilot, Best Funeral Ever, that goes behind-the-scenes of a unconventional funeral parlor.
At the Golden Gate Funeral Home, Dallas-based funeral director John Beckwith, Jr.works with the families to create a central theme for a memorial and then throws a wild party.
Examples include a Christmas-inspired funeral complete with reindeer, elves and snow, and a singer known for his famous rib sauce jingle remembered at a BBQ-themed funeral — including live pigs, praise dancers, and a BBQ sauce fountain where loved ones dip a ceremonious rib to say goodbye. “We’re going to make these families extremely happy at the worst moments of their lives,” Beckwith says.
The special airs the day after Christmas, Dec. 26, and is produced by Park Slope Productions.
Here’s TLC’s trailer for Coffin Boss Best Funeral Ever:
***UPDATE***
It was never going to make the top of a “most tasteful reality shows” list, but in light of the recent tragedy in Newtown, Conn., the newest offering by cable channel TLC — a one-hour special titled Best Funeral Ever — has been delayed until January, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The show, originally set to air on Dec. 26, will now show on Jan. 6 in deference to the 27 victims of the mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Don’t be surprised if this gets pushed back…very doubtful it airs this soon after Newtown. I am not going to go as far as to say that this is staged, but….with Facebook, Twitter and all the other social media out there, this site included, I find it hard to believe that no one has heard anything about these celebrations. Not a picture of the caskets? Nothing? Really? Not any coverage whatsoever….not buying it.
Golden Gate Funeral Home has been specializing in these “home going” celebrations for many years and according to GGFH CEO John Beckwith they average 2000 calls per year. This is a short clip from three years ago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v_2snmbGw4
This clip, while not typical of what most funerals are like, is not reality show worthy! The clip promoting this show, however, is. Now if there have been 2000 funerals a year like the ones they have shown for the show then why didn’t they make a youtube video of any of those? I am not saying that what they do is average, but it is a step above the normal “Home Going” celebration…Again, we will just have to watch and see now won’t we? Don’t look for it on the 26th however, you heard it here first.
Our funeral home’s philosophy is the FAMILY is renting/utilizing our space & services to their own taste & customs (within what is allowed by NYS Dept. of Health Law). We have to keep in mind that while a funeral like the one shown in the trailer might not be the one each would chose for our own, it is what the family requested. My only concern with over the top funerals such as this one is that we all too often have ANOTHER family grieving during a wake at the same time, in the same facility…with very different ideas & customs concerning the departure of their loved one. Very difficult to manage both side by side. I’ve experienced it…and it does not work.
Well, funerals are supposed to be for the living, right?