Actuality tv is without doubt one of the most original types of leisure on the market, purely for the way it spans so many alternative goal audiences and matters. There’s a actuality present for everybody. Whether or not or not it’s a aggressive cooking present, a Actual Housewives saga, or a baffling new relationship present. However some actuality reveals are simply plain weird in premise, a lot in order that it’s exhausting to consider they exist. Funnily sufficient, quite a lot of the reveals that match into this class come from the channel TLC. TLC is without doubt one of the most well-known community channels, and has spawned numerous nostalgic actuality reveals, from Say Sure to the Costume, to Cake Boss, and 90 Day Fiance. Nevertheless it has additionally been dwelling to among the strangest reveals, ones that have to be seen to be believed. Some similar to My Unusual Habit, Intercourse Despatched Me to the ER, Untold Tales of the ER, and I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant. But, regardless of how bizarre the reveals get, there’s at all times an viewers for them, that means it ought to come as no shock that TLC as soon as actually toed the road of what’s acceptable when it determined to air a brand new actuality present all about funerals.

What’s ‘Greatest Funeral Ever’ About?

In 2013 TLC premiered the fact collection Greatest Funeral Ever, which, as its identify suggests, is all about over-the-top funerals. The present takes place in Dallas, Texas, and each funeral is placed on by Golden Gate Funeral Dwelling. Golden Gate Funeral House is a family-operated enterprise centered round crafting extravagant and lavish funerals. Your entire schtick of the enterprise is to meet the final needs of the deceased and have a good time the life they lived. These funerals find yourself starting from a Hollywood theme, to a western theme full with livestock. In one of the well-known episodes, gold medalist, Ronnie Ray Smith’s, funeral was showcased on the present. His funeral was naturally Olympic themed, as he competed within the 1968 Summer season Olympics, and was full with his casket working a 100-yard sprint and being awarded a gold medal. Completely absurd but additionally completely rad.

As a lot as Greatest Funeral Ever might sound exploitative and type of insensitive to the deceased, it’s surprisingly effectively accomplished. It does sound a bit hokey, and it’s (hi there, they made a casket “run” a 100-yard sprint and awarded it a medal), however it’s truly not as cringe-worthy as it’s possible you’ll suppose. It’s fairly touching, and it has good motivation behind it.

‘Greatest Funeral Ever’ is Oddly Candy

Greatest Funeral Ever is just not the most effective actuality present you’ll ever watch, however it might be unfair to label it as merely morbid and unusual. There’s truly some touching motivation behind the funeral dwelling’s intent, and even watching one episode will present that. Funerals are horrible it doesn’t matter what. Even on the present, they’re nonetheless terrible, regardless of the flashiness and pleasure occurring. On the finish of the day, you’re nonetheless saying goodbye to somebody you care about. It’s a day of mourning, and it’s sure to be troublesome it doesn’t matter what. Golden Gate Funeral Dwelling’s intent is to ease that ache, even when it’s just a bit bit. Golden Gate’s proprietor, John Beckwith Jr. explains that they specialise in “home-going” ceremonies, somewhat than funerals, and says that the 2 are a lot completely different from each other. Dwelling-goings are a celebration, and thus he makes it his job to make folks really feel glad on such a tragic day.

In case you feared it, the present does maintain issues tasteful, and there isn’t any corpse to be seen. They’re not placing the bodily deceased on a Ferris Wheel or something. However they are going to adorn the casket or urn and take it by way of a whole elaborate celebration. It sounds unusual on paper however it’s oddly candy when you concentrate on it. The tales you hear from the chums and households of the deceased give perception into who they have been after they have been alive, and sometimes these over-the-top funerals enable them one final hurrah that they by no means bought. Positive it’s a bit morbid, particularly for many who consider funerals needs to be a extra dignified method, however Golden Gate Funeral Dwelling is devoted to giving the deceased a hearty send-off, and it’s important to give them some props for that. Plus, it truly is one thing it’s important to see to consider. Who would have even thought you could possibly do such issues at funerals? Greatest Funeral Ever Season One is accessible to stream on Philo.

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