The Kardashians. Love them, hate them or don’t even recognize the name?
The Kardashian/Jenner clan is one of the best known (and often universally hated) reality show families, stars of the E News! show Keeping Up with the Kardashians (among others).
I mention them only because an upcoming episode is going to delve into the topic of funeral preplanning—and you don’t see that often on TV. And, love reality TV or hate it, you can’t argue with the viewership…people are watching.
Now, I know what you’re saying. The people who might watch an insipid reality TV show about a bunch of people famous for being famous are NOT the type who will preplan a funeral. Maybe, maybe not. But I’m looking forward to watching to see just what they talk about.
According to the promo commercials, Kris Jenner, the family matriarch, takes her family on a tour of the famous Hollywood Forever cemetery to view the offerings and discuss their end-of-life plans. Some of the adult children scoff, of course, as many do when faced with this topic.
But maybe—just maybe?—seeing these “famous” people discussing preplanning will plant a seed with viewers. Maybe they, too, should stage a “viewing party” at a local funeral home, mausoleum or cemetery. Maybe just such a field trip is in order.
Silliness and pettiness of reality TV aside, I don’t care HOW the topic of preplanning and funeral wishes comes up. I’m just happy to see it getting some air time. Today’s younger generation seems to have a fascination—fickle as it may be—with celebrities like the Kardashians. If they listen to them about fashion, sports and other seemingly unimportant things, maybe they might even start bantering about their final plans as well.
Maybe?
Freelance writer/editor Sharon Verbeten has written about the funeral industry—in trade journals and online—for more than 20 years. She lives in Green Bay, Wis.
