Channel 4 Sales, the leading digital-first content partner for brands, has joined forces with Co-op Funeralcare to create an innovative social-first branded entertainment series called “Celebrity Send Off.” The three-part series, which launched this week on YouTube and will go live on social platforms starting July 10, features famous duos arranging pretend funerals for their celebrity counterparts.
A Unique Experiment
In “Celebrity Send Off,” well-known pairs take on the challenge of planning a fictional funeral for their counterpart. With guidance from Co-op Funeralcare experts, they explore themes, eulogies, floral arrangements, and even wake ideas. The series aims to spark open conversations about funeral wishes and normalise discussions around death.
The Celebrity Duos
The participating couples include:
1. Shaun Ryder and Bez (Happy Mondays): Bez, taking on the role of arranger, draws inspiration from their shared working-class roots in Salford. He creatively incorporates Shaun’s experiences with UFOs and extraterrestrial life into the arrangements.
2. Marcus Luther and Mica Ven (Gogglebox): The couple delves into their funeral preferences, discussing how they’d like their send-off to unfold.
3. Kriss Akabusi and Shakira Akabusi: The national treasure and his daughter explore the emotional aspects of planning a funeral.
Bez’s Perspective
Bez reflects on the experience: “It was weird thinking about my best mate’s fake funeral, but knowing Shaun so well, I enjoyed getting creative. Imagining him looking down (or up!) and laughing at what I’d organised was emotional. Grey UFO-shaped flowers? Leftfield!”
Shaun’s Take
Shaun shares his surreal experience: “Bez’s ideas surprised me. It made me realise the importance of open conversations about funeral wishes. Overall, he did a great job—knowing me well as a friend.”
Breaking Taboos Through Entertainment
Hanzla MacDonald, Digital Development Executive at Channel 4, emphasizes the show’s purpose: “Celebrity Send Off normalizes conversations around death. Teaming up with Co-op Funeralcare pushes these barriers further.”
Creative Storytelling
Sophie Lloyd, Creative Solutions Leader at Channel 4 Sales, praises the show’s uniqueness: “Celebrity Send Off exemplifies our bold and creative storytelling.”
A Collaborative Effort
The series was produced by Interstellar in collaboration with media agency TSL (The Story Lab). Hanzla MacDonald commissioned the digital content.
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