Would You Fake Your Own Grandmother’s Funeral?
Lights, Camera, Action!
My grandmother recently passed away at a care center. While walking out of the care center, my grandfather stepped off a curb, fell, and shattered his hip. Unfortunately, he was still in the hospital when his wife’s funeral was held. My dad promised to record the whole thing so my grandfather could watch it later. The only problem is that the video didn’t record properly. My grandfather is slightly senile, but he is “with it” just enough to remember that he wants to watch the video when he comes home.
The Proposal
My dad has enlisted my help in staging a funeral and videotaping it. I think this is possible: all we need is an accommodating funeral parlor, creative video work, and a few stand ins. My wife thinks this idea is preposterous.
What do you think?
Is it ok to stage a funeral to provide closure for someone who has lost a loved one?
11 Responses to “Would You Fake Your Own Grandmother’s Funeral?”
Um. NO! I’m laughing as I type this, but NO! It’s not a good idea to stage a funeral in my opinion.
What about just holding a private memorial service for your grandfather? Set up a picture of Grandma, light some candles and spend some family time remembering her and sharing stories.
By AmyL on Nov 5, 2008
The truth works best most times.
In this case, it’s also the one that takes the least amount of times.
And AmyL has such a great idea… I wouldn’t have thought about that, but once reading it – it does make perfect sense.
By Tsahi Levent-Levi on Nov 5, 2008
I say, go for the staging. No need to deprive an old man of his closure because it may or may not be real time. Just take some nice close-ups of the head stone and the kids standing by the grave and your set. Don’t feature the grandma on camera for respect sake and youre home free.
By Brittany on Nov 6, 2008
Is that an Arkansas Razorbacks casket?
By Andy on Nov 6, 2008
How much would the funeral home charge for such a thing? It could cost too much anyhow!
By Jane on Nov 6, 2008
i don’t think ethically there’s anything wrong… the problem is probably logistically, good luck and really i’d love to see the footage (is that wrong?)
By chelsea on Nov 6, 2008
No — you can’t do this! It’s not real! How would he feel when he finds out you tricked him? He’ll either be incredibly moved by your generosity in trying to help, or incredibly upset. Why don’t you just ask everyone to write down their favorite memories of the grandma and give it to him in a booklet format or something?
By tagunder on Nov 6, 2008
this sounds awesome. much better than the real thing. where do i sign up?! what part can i play?!
By renee on Nov 7, 2008
This isn’t a question of if you should do it but of what you can get away with. How senile is he? Can you take portions from movies or TV and would he notice? Would he notice if the Pope spoke at the funeral? How about President Bush? All you need is a bit of AV equipment or maybe just a nice computer with some software. Sure there may be some copyright infringement, but it is worth it to make Grandad happy right?
How good is his vision. If you just recorded a still frame from the funeral and recorded audio over the top of it I think he would get it. Wow just a flood of fraudulent ideas from my mind. I’ve got more if you want them.
By Buckwheat on Nov 8, 2008
I’m a lurker on your site. I’m also from Arkansas, so your coffin pic is cracking me up. I so know people who would go for that.
By Cynthia on Nov 9, 2008
No staging needed. Just find a suitable funeral on youtube and insert shots of your family into the video. Do you have a video editing wizard?
By karlmalone on Nov 11, 2008