Videotaped broadcastings on television used to be primarily for entertainment or education purposes only. As of late, more celebrity funerals are being aired for the assumed ‘enjoyment’ of viewers.
The controversy is ‘are televised funerals entertaining, educational or is it a modern opportunity for admirers to express their grief privately.’
The idea of broadcasting funerals of high profile figures is nothing new. The funerals of Princess Diana, Mother Teresa, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston were televised and well received by the public.
Many believe it is an emotional outlet to help heal mourners who were fans of the deceased.
A retired sociology professor, Robert Fulton, stated years ago in 1998 that viewing televised funerals provides individuals a chance to express emotion. Fulton explained the televised funeral ‘keeps death at a distance’ while the personal grief is kept under control. (Continue below)
An excerpt from What's Playing On The Funeral Channel?:
Retired sociology professor Robert Fulton, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, says people shouldn't be surprised to see a "funeral channel" added to cable network offerings in the near future. Televised funeral services for celebrities and public figures have provided big ratings for CNN, MSNBC, and the Fox News Channel, with some networks doubling viewership.
Many other people believe celebrity funerals are not exempt from the respect of our society. They feel our culture is insensitive in the honoring of celebrities by televising the families’ private last moments.
They believe it highlights the attendees, who also happen to be high profiles, of the funeral while taking the focus off of the deceased. Some individuals feel celebrity funerals have (literally) become a showcase of who is attending, who is going to perform (sing), who is giving the eulogy and who was not present, while the networks profit.
What do you think? Should the networks televise celebrity funerals on a specific ‘funeral channel,’ on regular channels or not at all?
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