A video of an undertaker has stirred up mixed feelings as some people accuse him of making the funeral ‘about himself’ while other praise his ‘professionalism’
An undertaker has been slammed for supposedly making a funeral “all about himself” by marching in front of a hearse.
The clip, posted by Matthew Uden-Funeral Director, shared a video of an undertaker leading the car in what the company called a “centuries-old tradition”. Despite this, the clip caused a stir with some people online labelling the practice a “creepy” march. The funeral directors said the walk was done with “precision, care, and professionalism” and had “every detail handled with thoughtfulness and respect” but the video still raised eyebrows.
Some viewers on social media jumped in the comments and claimed they thought the undertaker, Lee, was making the procession “about himself”.
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One person wrote: “Feels like he’s making about himself. Sorry.” Another viewer said: “It’s not about you.”
A third commenter described the video and “creepy” and wrote: “Sorry is it just me, very nice looking professional man, but this just gives me the creeps, don’t want any of this when I pop my clogs. Direct cremation for me anything else is a waste of money.”
Despite this, other people praised the undertaker and his actions for being professional and respectful on such a sad day. One person wrote: “Now that’s professionalism, and utmost respect.”
A second person said: “He certainly looks the business. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is ex military the way he carries himself.” A third person wrote: “To create occasion he does it with grandeur to follow the someone you loved beyond words on their last journey in your world …let it be special.”
Head-undertaker at the company, Matthew Uden, defended the practice, to the MailOnline. He said walking in front of the hearse was a tradition and not a performance.
He said: “The act of a conductor walking ahead of the hearse and striking the ground with a cane is not a performance. It’s a centuries-old tradition, originally to alert people to a passing funeral so they could pause and pay their respects.
“Today, we continue it as a mark of dignity and to honour the life of the person who has passed. It is never about the conductor, but about showing respect to the deceased and comfort to the family following behind.
‘We share funeral videos on social media, with a family’s permission, and most comments are kind and supportive. When negative remarks appear, I ask people to remember that inside every coffin is a person that has lived a life, and a grieving family for whom this moment is deeply significant.”
In the past, hearses were horse-drawn and a funeral director would often walk in front to help clear the path and move people away for the procession.