[VIDEOS] Malaysians' Hilarious Dancing Funeral Parodies Are A Must-Watch During The MCO
You can hire the original "coffin dance crew" for USD3,000 (RM13,000) to send off your loved ones in style.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 23 Apr 2020, 06:25 PM
As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is another "viral contagion" infecting the minds of people through the Internet, resulting in uncontrollable laughter
We are talking about none other than the dancing funeral meme, based on the original video that has now been dubbed the "coffin dance crew".
Much like the 'Directed by Robert B Weide' meme, the new Internet comic relief typically starts with a clip of people engaging in a silly or dangerous activity before cutting to footage of six pallbearers carrying a coffin on their shoulders as they dance to a funky EDM - signifying that the people shown in the clip have died.
The meme has transcended from its original format. And now, people on the Internet are creating unimaginable versions of the meme.
Whether it is a subtle photo showing a container sitting on top of four boxes of Darlie toothpaste, an Instagram filter, or a mechanical music box, people around the world clearly have too much time on their hands.
In Brazil, people even put up the pallbearers' faces on a billboard that reads "Stay home or dance with us".
You can download and try the Instagram filter made by @paulostoker here.
Malaysians are no different
Among all the great varients of the meme out there, two videos particularly stood out because these Malaysians actually took the time make a complete parody video.
The first one comes from a professional funeral parlour in Kedah, Kwang Heng Coffin Maker.
The parody shows six pallbearers in uniform dancing in sync while carrying a coffin.
According to China Press, the funeral parlour employer, Madam Xie, said the video is meant to entertain Malaysians and encourage them to #JustStayAtHome.
You can watch the video here:
Another parody is made by a video producer at 75insanity.
The video tells the story of a Malaysian living under the MCO. Whenever he fails to adhere to the social distancing measure or practise good hygiene, he will start hearing the tune of the meme.
You can watch the video here:
So what is the origin of the meme? Who are the funeral dancers?
The original footage of the meme came from a BBC news segment published on YouTube in July 2017.
"Pallbearers are lifting the mood at funerals in Ghana with flamboyant coffin-carrying dances," reported BBC News Africa.
"Families are increasingly paying for their services to send their loved ones off in style."
However, you would be mistaken to believe that this is a tradition widely practised in the West African nation - and neither is EDM music Astronomia by Tony Igy played during the funeral.
Nana Otafrija Pallbearing & Waiting Services founder Benjamin Aidoo and his crew.
Image via Nana Otafrija Pallbearing & Waiting Services/FacebookThe founder of the group, Benjamin Aidoo, told BBC that he always lets his clients decide how they want to send off their loved ones, whether it is a "solemn" ceremony or one with "a bit more of a display".
After the meme became an Internet sensation, Aidoo received calls from all parts of the world, reported Ghanaian news portal Pulse.
In light of that and the coronavirus pandemic, they have decided to increase their price to USD3,000 (RM13,000) for jobs outside of Ghana, excluding the cost of transportation, food, and accommodation.
According to Aidoo, the group has created employment for many locals.
