DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
 
 
 
'Frontline' Focuses on the Impact of COVID on Black-Owned Funeral Homes in New Orleans with 'Death is Our Business'
March 23, 2021  | By Mike Hughes  | 91 comments
 


New Orleans, it seems, is very good at good-byes.

Its funerals are filled with music, color, and passion. "This is what New Orleans does so beautifully," someone says in the latest Frontline offering, Death is Our Business, at 10 p.m. ET, Tuesday (March 23), on PBS (check local listings).

But as the pandemic hit, everything changed. The death toll soared, but the traditions ceased.

Now Frontline visits two Black-owned funeral homes. It's an involving hour that happens to be at the same time as ABC's excellent Soul of a Nation.

Blacks comprise 60 percent of New Orleans' population but 72 percent of its COVID deaths. One funeral home went from four or five bodies a day to 12-15; an embalmer there went two months without seeing her family.

Described as "last responders," these businesses emerged from a time when others wouldn't handle Black funerals. Woodworkers might make coffins, then perform other funeral duties themselves.

One New Orleans funeral home featured here has been around for 138 years; another is even older: A seamstress got her husband out of slavery; they started their business after the Civil War.

Soon, funerals became an art form. There are singers, jazz bands, horse-drawn carriages, and a parade (with bystanders joining) leading to the cemetery.

Then came COVID, and it all stopped. The service for jazz great Ellis Marsalis – who taught his gifted sons, plus Harry Connick and others – would have drawn a giant crowd, but he died of COVID on April 1, as the pandemic peaked. Only 10 people were allowed in the service.

Four months later, when Kim Boutte (a popular Mardi Gras queen) was killed by a stray bullet, the city relented slightly. It allowed 100 people in the funeral home; another 1,000 were waiting outside for the procession.

It was a rare return to what New Orleans does so beautifully.

 
 
 
 
 
Leave a Comment: (No HTML, 1000 chars max)
 
 Name (required)
 
 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
BDREW
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 5  | Go to page: 
91 Comments
 
 
tyler durden jacket
Celebjackets have a wide range of jackets inspired by everyone's favorite movie fight club for its fans. They arrive with sure variations like slim in shape, distressed fashion, Shearling, Quilts, hood and plenty greater designs that did not appear as a style earlier than.
https://thecelebjackets.com/tyler-durden-jackets/
Sep 28, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
When it comes to securing top grades in your programming assignments, Native Assignment Help sets the standard. Our team of experienced programmers and academic experts is dedicated to providing you with comprehensive programming assignment help that ensures your success. Trust us to be your programming assignment solution provider.
Sep 25, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Nike Tech Fleece
Thank you for providing such great information. I really like that, I have some suggestions you might like Nike Tech Fleece. https://www.topsandbottomsusa.com/collections/nike-tech
Sep 23, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
You know your projects stand out of the herd. There is something special about them. It seems to me all of them are really brilliant!
Sep 6, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
sdsdf
https://?????.com/ This website and I conceive this internet site is really informative ! Keep on putting up
Aug 31, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
??? ???? ??? ?????. ?? ?? Diwali Bumper Lottery? ?? ? ????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?? ?? ??? ???? ?????????.? ??? ?? ?? ?????.
Aug 31, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
fgdfdaa
https://uri-casino.com/ ??? ???? ??? ?????.
Aug 31, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
xfddaa
??? ???? ??? ?????. ?? ??. [url=https://uri-casino.com/]??????[/url]
Aug 31, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Thanks for picking out the time to discuss this, I feel great about it and love studying more on this topic. It is extremely helpful for me. Thanks for such a valuable help again.
Aug 30, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free.
Aug 25, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
The RTS TV App is a treasure trove of features designed to cater to diverse preferences. From live streaming and on-demand content to interactive features and personalized recommendations, it offers a comprehensive package that appeals to all types of viewers.
Aug 18, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Your website is really cool and this is a great inspiring article. Thank you so much.
Aug 18, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Nyra
visit https://businesssolutionsmadeeasy.wordpress.com/2023/07/04/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-implementing-a-restaurant-pos-system/
Jul 31, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
pebbled leather
[url=https://pebbledleather.com/]Pebbled Leather[/url]
[url=https://pebbledleather.com/collections/aviator-jacket-mens/]Aviator Jackets[/url]
[url=https://pebbledleather.com/collections/mens-b3-bomber-jackets]B3 Bomber Jackets[/url]
[url=https://pebbledleather.com/collections/mens-sheepskin-jackets]Sheepskin Leather Jackets[/url]
[url=https://pebbledleather.com/collections/mens-shearling-jackets]Shearling Jackets[/url]
[url=https://pebbledleather.com/collections/mens-bomber-leather-jacket]Bomber Leather Jackets[/url]
[url=https://pebbledleather.com/collections/harley-davidson-jackets]Harley Davidson Jackets[/url]
[url=https://pebbledleather.com/collections/mens-shearling-coats]Men's Shearling Coats[/url]
Jul 29, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Study Abroad
Studying abroad in Denmark can be a rewarding experience. Denmark is known for its high-quality education system, vibrant culture, and welcoming atmosphere for international students.
Visit Us : https://edysor.in/other-speaking-countries/study-in-finland
Jul 11, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
study
Studying abroad in Denmark can be a rewarding experience. Denmark is known for its high-quality education system, vibrant culture, and welcoming atmosphere for international students.
Jul 11, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Do you also have a tonne of assignments to complete? If the answer is yes, you've come to the correct place. Our great staff of academic writers at Rapid Assignment Help is capable of writing a variety of projects and offering the best nursing assignment help. Our skilled nursing assignment writers offer nursing assignment writing services in such a way that you won't have to worry about being turned down, receiving subpar marks, or submitting your work on time. When you choose us, you may be confident that you'll get top grades.
Jun 27, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Roman Weber
Foster a growth mindset by believing in your ability to learn and adapt.
Jun 21, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
I wrote about a similar issue, I give you the link to my site.
May 30, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Acknowledges for paper such a beneficial composition, I stumbled beside your blog besides decipher a limited announce. I want your technique of inscription..
May 30, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 5  | Go to page: