The Good Funeral Awards is an hour-long documentary, one of a series covering a variety of heartwarming events designed to lull viewers into a good feeling that all’s well in a world that has such people in it.
Well, that’s what we were led to suppose, and a number of bereaved people let us into their funerals on that understanding.
If true to its declared intention, the programme will illuminate not only the work but also the hearts of those who work with bereaved people — there should be plenty of backstory on some of Funeralworld’s nicest inhabitants. I told the director firmly and sternly that if anyone is to come out of this looking a chump (someone has to; it’s part of the formula), it’s me. Fair game, fair do’s, I can take it. (The director looked relieved.)
Of course, we haven’t a clue what to expect. We haven’t seen it, we weren’t paid anything — all we can do is cross our fingers and hope we haven’t been stitched up like trusting little kippers. Our objective was to sing the praises of the unsung heroes of the funeral industry. Selective editing could transform us into a terrorist cell.
True to the GFG’s open-abuse policy, we offer you, as ever, the opportunity to let off steam in an unbridled, uncensored and unmoderated way below. We only ever bar comments which are potentially libellous.
Details of viewing times on other Sky channels here.
As you know I am a telly addict so I have watched the first two episodes in this series: the first was a cake decorating competition and the second a pony riding show. The focus was loveable eccentrics passionate about what they were doing. I say no more.
Looking forward to it (fingers crossed that the production company stayed true to their stated intention).
And even if they have strayed into the typical journalistic territory of not quite getting it James, a terrorist cell is another man’s freedom fighter…
Happy birthday Mr Mandela by the way.
The red carpet is down The frocks are on, and………. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itAOGRiYRLI
FAB Charles,
We all stayed up to watch, great fun. Loved you talking to yoursellf in the mirror bit, what a showman.
Well done, I thought it all came across really well.
X rosie
Susan, that’s very clever. Rosie, thank you for the reassuring words. Did all those lovely people come over as lovely as they are? That’s all that matters.
I would love to watch this but don’t have sky. Can I view it any other way ?
Phone a friend?
Great fun and not earth shatteringly awful in any way. Shame they focussed so heavily on just a few and didn’t cast their net wider. There was a predictable leaning towards the pretty girls and the bonkers rev (who gets more than enough publicity just by being who he is – charming as he is – oh and a gay couple and an odd couple – all a bit formulaic really).
Overall I’d say you got away with it really well with minimal damage – and Charles, there is no doubt in my mind that your mission and your passion came through over and over again so well done for not being hooked in. To thine own self thou remained true. Bravo.
You hit the nail on the head Quokkagirl!
Although I’m guessing that you were not referring to myself as a pretty girl 🙂
I was very worried about how nuts I would look but alas it wasn’t so bad they got my cheeky don’t take myself to seriously side across (speaking as one half of the ‘gay couple’) the funeral world is filled with gay people and eccentrics some people fit into both categories! *whistles nonchalantly
I really wanted to see more of the other categories too, was as disappointed as the next person but Charles, well aside from the rust comment (hearse going into the paint shop this very afternoon) you are clearly natural on TV, unlike me. Well done.
I thought you were great Clare – passionate about VWs and passionate about getting it right for families. I’m glad I didn’t have to choose the winners – each one of you seemed eminently worthy.
Loveable eccentrics passionate about what they do. No-one looked foolish or silly – genuinely caring and hard-working people. As Quokkagirl said, I wish they had shown more than four categories, but I suppose we’d have needed a whole series for that. Well done to everyone who allowed themselves to be filmed at their places of work.
how wonderful, roll on #BOMO2013
It’s recorded, can’t wait to see it! And (modestly) maybe even myself of course 🙂
As someone who earlier this year spent 15 long days filming a one hour programme, I do hope the edit treats you and the subject matter seriously and kindly. (BBC2, The Fixer)
Those involved in death care and bereavement do a remarkable job – ours is sadly a task most people still find intimidating or unpleasant.
I think the best of us deserve a little recognition – which is exactly what the awards are doing. And anything that helps people approach the subject with less fear and trepidation has to be a good thing.
Well done Charles.
Just watched it Charles. That was really very good indeed. There was none of the embarrassed ‘isn’t it weird?’ overtone seen so often on such shows. Your people came across as real, committed people doing good work. Obviously TV loves flamboyance but I think they ‘kept it real’.
But Charles, you are a natural for TV. You came over very clearly and, I thought, were portrayed very respectfully; which was appropriate. The subject deserved a series; you should approach that production company and offer to make one for them.
Despite the results I reckon most blokes would rather have Julie Lowe from Liverpool look after their bodies than the chap who won. Can’t they relax the rules just a bit so that rather than wait until dead we can be sent to her, say, perhaps after a cold?
Thats as maybe Paul, but I know the chap who won well and you would not wish for a more caring beautiful man to look after your dead person. Julie Lowe also very beautiful very caring and deserves recognition, who could judge.
Embalming – best cure for man flu ever.