For most of us, death is a time to mourn and shed tears for the departed. For others, it's a time to honor their loved ones and celebrate the life through services that turn the traditional funeral on its head. In the one- hour special, BEST FUNERAL EVER, TLC goes inside the Dallas-based Golden Gate Funeral Home where John Beckwith Jr. and his staff organize the most unique ceremonies in the country, called home-going celebrations.
"A home-going is much different than a funeral, it's a celebration, explains
John Beckwith, Jr. The Golden Gate experience is our version of the traditional African American home-going celebration. We do not produce generic funerals; everybody's experience has to be different."
No expense is spared as Beckwith and his team creates memories that will last forever. Starting with the deceased's occupation or passion in life, the Golden Gate staff works with the families to create a central theme for a memorial and then elevates it to an unforgettable party.
BEST FUNERAL EVER features three elaborate home-going services:
· The death of a man who cherished the holiday season is sent off with a Christmas-inspired funeral, complete with reindeer, alpacas, elves and snow.
· A man whose disability prevented him from riding roller coaster is honored with a State-Fair-themed home-going ceremony and spends his last day on earth enjoying the rides, games and attractions.
· A former doo-wop singer known for his famous rib sauce jingle is remembered at a barbecue-themed home-going service. His family celebrates his life among live pigs, praise dancers, and a barbecue sauce fountain in which loved ones dip a ceremonious rib to say goodbye.
The party kicks off Wednesday, December 26th at 8/7c. BEST FUNERAL EVER is produced Park Slope Productions and executive produced by Paul Reitano and Terrence Sacchi.
TLC is a global brand that celebrates extraordinary people and relatable life moments through innovative nonfiction programming. A top 10 cable network in key female demos, TLC has built successful franchises around the Cake Boss and Say Yes to the Dress brands. In 2012, TLC had 26 series averaging at least 1.0 million P2+ viewers, with series like Breaking Amish, Long Island Medium, Sister Wives and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo averaging over 2.0 million viewers. TLC's other hit series include: My Strange Addiction, Toddlers & Tiaras, 19 Kids and Counting, What not to Wear, and My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding.
TLC is available in more than 99 million homes in the US and more than 227 million households in nearly 150 markets internationally. A destination online, TLC.com offers in-depth fan sites, exclusive video content, and original editorial covering style, home, food, and more. Fans can also interact with TLC via On Demand services, on mobile platforms, including an iPhone App, and through social media such as Facebook or @TLC on Twitter. TLC is part of Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA,DISCB, DISCK), the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 209 countries and territories.
