TV commercials for funerals

[Maciamo]

As I was having dinner (the only time of the day I watch TV), I had the dubious chance to stumble upon two interesting commercials. The first one was for a life insurance, which people could join between 50 and 80 years old. A woman announced with a smile, and not dissimulating her excitement, that it also covered the funeral fees. Oh yes ! Let's buy it !

5 min later (no I didn't change channel, the first series of commercial was over, then we had 2 min of the programme itself, then again commercials), comes the commercial of a tomb maker. A daughter says to her father "Oh that's a nice tomb that you bought there !". Father : "Oh, yes it is, blablah...". Daughter : "Dad, can I also be buried there ?".

So if you also want a nice tomb, call today XY kaisha !

I am pretty sure in a not so distant future, they will use pop stars to sell their funeral business. It will be like "This actress has already reserved her tomb in X cemetery. Increase your chances of meeting in the afterlife with this actress and buy the same model in the same cemetery today ! Call for free 0180-000-die-now or check our website www.join-in-the-grave.co.jp. For 1 million yen, we give you the option of getting a unique funeral ceremony to make sure that your soul will never get hungry in heaven !"

The main programme was not really the most relevant for these commercials, although it did share a common abyss for stupidity. The participants were cooking in a giant "nabe" (casserole) of 5000 litres (6.10m of diametre), for reasons that only the gods can comprehend.

[Kinsao]

It reminds me of Evelyn Waugh, "The Loved One".

Well, here we are encouraged to buy a prepaid funeral plan, and I have seen adverts for them... I can't say about TV adverts, but I have seen flyers that arrive with catalogues for "older people", and street billboards occasionally (not really often though). I think in UK it's being promoted more because we have an overbalance of older people in the society, and I guess that could be also the reason why the adverts in Japan.

Hehe, I don't mind that idea... the tastelessness makes me laugh. And in fact, I can see why people choose to preplan for their funeral, grave space and whatnot! lol... when I was a kid I used to amuse myself by writing my will. Ironically, now I'm actually old enough to make one, I never have...

[DoctorP]

I'm really not that shocked by this event. It is a business afterall, and they weren't offering to help you die or anything like that! What they are doing is, in effect a public service...as many people die with no true plans as to what should be done with thier body. This is a huge burden for the remaining family members and by planning ahead one is able to relieve a tremendous amount of stress for everyone involved.

[Maciamo]

People's corpses should all be thrown in a common ditch with no waste of funeral monument. This will save both space and money, and anyway it doesn't make any difference to dead people. Personally, I'd rather be buried directly in earth or given as food to the fish or crocodiles. It accelerates the cycle of life (better be in a fish than inert matter).

It's already ad enough that people should waste money in funeral (and in Japan, that really cost a lot => see article). Having a funeral is like a sin to me - not least because of the religious meaning than the waste of money/space. That's why I never go to funerals, even in my family.

Then they distrubed my meal. Why don't they have such commercials outside meal times ? China has a law that forbids disgusting ads (including those for hygenic tampons) during meal hours.

[DoctorP]

Originally Posted by Maciamo

Then they distrubed my meal. Why don't they have such commercials outside meal times ? China has a law that forbids disgusting ads (including those for hygenic tampons) during meal hours.

I'm sorry...did they show a badly decomposing body? Did you send your meal time to the networks so that they would know not to disturb you?

If it offended you so...contact the company and say so! Enough bad reports and they will rethink their plan.

[ArmandV]

Originally Posted by Maciamo

People's corpses should all be thrown in a common ditch with no waste of funeral monument. This will save both space and money, and anyway it doesn't make any difference to dead people. Personally, I'd rather be buried directly in earth or given as food to the fish or crocodiles. It accelerates the cycle of life (better be in a fish than inert matter).

I am surprised that you don't want to go the cremation route (or "shake and bake" as some of us call it). That'll save even more space.

You have to remember, funerals are for the living, not the deceased person.

I remember seeing a casket store in a mini-mall in Van Nuys, California a few years ago and thought it was strange. Still, it is some thing we'll all need sooner or later.

[DoctorP]

Originally Posted by ArmandV

I remember seeing a casket store in a mini-mall in Van Nuys, California a few years ago and thought it was strange. Still, it is some thing we'll all need sooner or later.

Not Maciamo....he's going in a ditch!

[ArmandV]

Originally Posted by CC1

Not Maciamo....he's going in a ditch!

Maybe we'll be heading in that direction someday. If your family member dies, just put him/her in a large Hefty* trash bag and leave it on the curb for the trashman to pick up.

*No product endorsement implied.

[DoctorP]

@ Maciamo...just curious? If your wife died today, would you throw her in some ditch somewhere...or would you honor her families wishes?

[Maciamo]

Originally Posted by ArmandV

I am surprised that you don't want to go the cremation route (or "shake and bake" as some of us call it). That'll save even more space.

For some reasons, I don't like the idea of eing cremated. It destroys organic fibers and creates air polution.

You have to remember, funerals are for the living, not the deceased person.

If that was true, why would they need to advertise funeral services to people who are alive, so that they can choose which one they want for themselves ? Most people decide whether they are going to be buried/cremated, according to what religion/sect's style, in which cemeterry, and many actually buy their tomb before dying. Some people have clear lists of instructions of what music to play at the funeral, what flowers they want or don't want on their tomb, etc. Rich people may have a huge memorial tomb built in their honour, or for the whole family. So in my opinion, all this is to satisfied the desires and pride of the person, not really for their family, especially if they have to support the costs.

[Maciamo]

Originally Posted by CC1

@ Maciamo...just curious? If your wife died today, would you throw her in some ditch somewhere...or would you honor her families wishes?

Unfortunately it's not that simple. In Japan, people legally cannot decide what to do with their body after they die. The law imposes that everyone in Japan MUST be cremated. So, even the 1 million or so Christian Japanese have no right to be buried in a Christian way. People who give their body to science are an exemption, but the unused parts of the body (the "waste") must also be cremated afterwards.

I am not a specialist of these issues in Europe, but in Belgium, apart from giving one's body to science, people can only choose to be buried or cremated, with the body or ashes in a cemetery. In other words, you cannot be buried in your garden or in a forest, and cannot keep your ancestors' ashes at home (as is done in some cultures). You also cannot throw the body in the sea, I think.

Being an atheist, I object to having a religious ceremony, or anything that reminds of it. I also object at being buried in a cemetery, because these are always Christian in Europe, or Buddhist in Japan, i.e. linked to a church or temple, and filled with religious symbols (crosses, etc.).

I would probably give my body to science. I only wish that the remains should not be burnt, and ceratinly not be placed in a cemeterry. Anywhere else in the nature would be fine, anywhere in the world. So I accept that the remains of the body can be buried in the nature, in a common ditch (without any signs or religious symbols on the surface), or thrown in the sea.

As for my wife, I have never asked her, but if her family decides to have a religious ceremony, I won't be there.

[ArmandV]

Originally Posted by Maciamo

For some reasons, I don't like the idea of eing cremated. It destroys organic fibers and creates air polution.

Oddly, I have to agree with you. I read about the cremation process some time back and it does not sound appealing to me (especially the part about putting your cooked bones in a grinder to make the pieces uniformly one size).

Originally Posted by Maciamo

If that was true, why would they need to advertise funeral services to people who are alive, so that they can choose which one they want for themselves ? Most people decide whether they are going to be buried/cremated, according to what religion/sect's style, in which cemeterry, and many actually buy their tomb before dying. Some people have clear lists of instructions of what music to play at the funeral, what flowers they want or don't want on their tomb, etc. Rich people may have a huge memorial tomb built in their honour, or for the whole family. So in my opinion, all this is to satisfied the desires and pride of the person, not really for their family, especially if they have to support the costs.

Still, who is going to "enjoy" the service? It sure isn't going to be the deceased. As you said, often times it is the dead person who pre-arranges his/her services. There's a lot of ego involved on how that person wants their send-off to be like. It is putting on a show for their family and friends. If the family member handles the services, this doesn't do the dead person any favors. It is for the survivors' own comfort. Like I said, funerals are for the living.

[Hachiko]

Grim Reaper meets excess. Viva Los Muertos, Viva Los Muertos...

[hamlethamster]

Hi Maciamo,

In 1996 or 1998 - I cannot precisely remember myself - I wrote and realized this commercial for a fictional funeral company called "Mr. Sandman's Finest
Funerals".

Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJO4z0T3hqk

It was very hard to get it on air. I discussed this matter with a news channel. They were not interested in broadcasting it, even not in the usual commercial breaks. I would have paid for it. "You know, we are a news channel. We cannot have that!" said the woman from the advertising sales department. I replied: "You know, there is one big thing funeral companies and news channels have in common and that is that they are making money with other people's death." End of discussion.

At least MTV EUROPE was so nice to broadcast it - only once - in the middle of the night.

Anyhow: thanks to new technology, I can send it around now.

Hope you like it!
Kind regards
Hamlet Hamster

[ArmandV]

Years ago, a friend told me this joke:

Q: "Did you know that a Japanese company bought Forest Lawn?" (Forest Lawn is the biggest cemetery company in Southern California.)

A: "Really? I didn't hear about that."

Q: "Yeah, they're going to call it "Jap-In-A-Box!"'

Would you believe that a Japanese-American told me this!

[hamlethamster]

Originally Posted by ArmandV

Q: "Yeah, they're going to call it "Jap-In-A-Box!"'
Would you believe that a Japanese-American told me this!

Not "Jump-In-A-Box"?
Hamster

[Kinsao]

Although I can't watch your link yet, Hamster, this struck me as funny but very true:

"You know, there is one big thing funeral companies and news channels have in common and that is that they are making money with other people's death."

[Hide My Heart]

-_-

well .... why not?

[sabro]

Originally Posted by Maciamo

Unfortunately it's not that simple. In Japan, people legally cannot decide what to do with their body after they die. The law imposes that everyone in Japan MUST be cremated. So, even the 1 million or so Christian Japanese have no right to be buried in a Christian way. People who give their body to science are an exemption, but the unused parts of the body (the "waste") must also be cremated afterwards.

Is cremation not a "Christian" practice in Europe? I'm not familiar with any religious adversion to cremation. When I die, I'd like to be put out with the morning garbage...or failing that, I'd like my ashes fired from an artillery cannon.

[Hide My Heart]

XD

how inventive. I wasnt aware that cremation wasnt Christian either. I know that Jews and catholics might have some problems with it but then again I dont think there are many jews in Japan...

[sabro]

I don't think that advertising funeral homes is all that bad. After all, you have to do something with the body after you're done with it. The different traditions about how to dispose of it are astounding.

Right now the Russians seem to be having a bit of trouble disposing of Lenin's body-- or keeping it in the glass box on display...

I think that Jewish and Muslim funerals have to be done within 24 hours of the person's death if possible.

[Hide My Heart]

Eeek! Whats up with Lenin.

Yeah I think ive read that somewhere too but like I said , not a whole lotta Jews in Japan to my knowlege. I read something in class recently about how in the American southern states (some not all) theyre using corpses o fetilize feilds.

[sabro]

I just found this article: http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/04/08/D8GS2FNG1.html
Now that is an interesting way to dispose of someone.

[xLainyLoo]

Hah, thats hilarious!
When I go I'll have to look for that commercial.

I already planned out my funeral and stuff.
And I'm only 15.


That's what happens when me and my best friend get bored.

[maushan3]

Originally Posted by xLainyLoo

Hah, thats hilarious!
When I go I'll have to look for that commercial.
I already planned out my funeral and stuff.
And I'm only 15.
That's what happens when me and my best friend get bored.

Wow, that's very optimistic, you are what you constantly think...

To keep on topic, this is something which really cracked me up, tombs painted with the colors of your favorite soccer team in Mexico, this way, you could die with your team. (literally). Too bad i couldn't find a picture online. Team logo included and all.

Mauricio