should their admirers who may have loved them more than family memers did, be allowed to mourn alongside the family or should it be a private affair? should the family profit by doing interviews-showing rare footage and allowing cameras into a funeral?

i remember Princess Di had two- a private and public-

..but shouldnt the beloved fans who would cut off their right arm for a celebrity get to privately mourn? and i'm not talking about vicarously thru CNN helicopters....i'm talking about open invites.

A lot of people have had that, where you could pay your respects to this or that person. But ultimately it's up to their family. They can have as many or as few people as they please.

I think with a Princess Di, there is a sense that royalty actually belongs to the people to some degree, and they are owed the opportunity to be a part. Same with Michael Jackson. But the sheer number of people becomes an issue. If it was my brother, I would have no desire for screaming girls to be there with me.

I don't think fans and admirers should expect the right to attend funeral or memorial services, but those that are should understand and respect what a difficult time it is for the people who actually knew and loved said star.

Evvy said:

Dude, are you serious?

You don't know them.

Get over it.

PunkMistress said:

it's easy to say get over it- but sometimes a person's death is devastating for you- even if you have not "personally" known them. I pity the fanatics that don't get to say a proper good bye- its heartbreaking for me to watch them...

so your "get over it" means nothing

meow85 said:

Well said!

I would love to be able to possibly pay my respects,and leave flowers for Michael,but unfortunately not everyone can be respectful,and not over the top,therefore nobody gets to.

And no I would'nt expect to be able to take part at a celebrities funeral,that I believe should be for the family only.
[Edited 9/3/09 13:43pm]

Evvy said:

Those kind of fans need therapy.

uPtoWnNY said:

.....and an ass kicking.

no. how the family of a deceased person chooses to grieve is their choice, not the public's. this is why we have public vigils and tributes.

PunkMistress said:

Thank you.

Celebrity families need to mourn alone, we are only intruders that pay the celebrities their salary.

Graycap23 said:

and what if it was the president- would his admirers need an ass kickin fpr wanting to mourn like a family member?

Evvy said:

The President is a man.....just like every other man. That said, it would be 4 show and politics which is a symbolic gesture 2 the public. Different situation and 4 a much different PURPOSE.

Graycap23 said:

This is what the hell I'm saying.

You're delusional if you think consumers of an artist's work "love them more than their family members do."

DELUSIONAL.

PunkMistress said:

Indeed, I'm sure William and Harry, the Jacksons and whoe ever would be very offended at this sort of talk.

JDInteractive said:

i think it's an honor

Evvy said:

For whom?

PunkMistress said:

taken from non-music:


[img]


the family- its a form of support- one expects family to be there but complete strangers that open their hearts in your time of need.... indescribable

In their minds and spirits, folk form very important connections with celebrities through their work. I'm not one who thinks such connections -- or the grief they might feel at the celeb's death -- are artificial or second-tier. BUT most of us live in a social environment where if the deceased hasn't made definitive plans, immediate families and loved ones decide over burial, funerary and memorial services. I think their oversight should be respected, and none of us beyond those circles are truly owed anything.
[Edited 9/4/09 7:51am]