No one likes to think about death, but as we all should know by now, death is actually an integral part of life…Although I have never wanted to say good-bye to my friends and family over the years, I must say that I look forward to their homegoing services which is how most black people refer to funerals. Why? It is an opportunity for people to retreat from the busyness that permeates our modern lives and honor an appointment we must all keep someday. It is an occasion for friends and family to participate in collective and open grief rather than hide their grief behind stoicism and decorum which our society encourages often to our detriment. It is a privilege to honor the deceased one’s humanity and life on earth while ushering that one back home to heaven in God’s presence..at least if that person has died in the Lord…

Tomorrow, PBS, through its POV documentary series, will explore African-American homegoing services through the point of view of funeral director Isaiah Owens, owner of Owens Funeral Home in New York City’s historic Harlem neighborhood. Below is more information from a press release that I received…

Homegoings takes an up-close look at the rarely seen world of undertaking in the black community, where funeral rites draw on a rich palette of tradition, history and celebration. Combining cinéma vérité with intimate interviews and archival photographs, the film paints a portrait of the dearly departed, their grieving families and a man who sends loved ones “home.”

“When it comes to death and funerals, African-American people, we have our own way,” Owens says. “It has worked for us throughout the ages; it has kept us balanced, sane. And everybody know[s] that it’s going to be a sad, good time.” Owens, who grew up in Branchville, S.C., moved to New York City in 1968 at age 17 to learn his craft. A few years later, he opened what would become one of Harlem’s most popular funeral homes, with a largely Baptist clientele. When he is dressing and beautifying the dead, he shows a dedication to craft and attention to detail that exemplifies Owens Funeral Home’s motto: “Where Beauty Softens Your Grief.”

Homegoings introduces some of Owens’ customers. Linda “Redd” Williams-Miller jovially plans her own funeral down to the last detail, including the exact shade of her namesake color to be used for her nails and hair. The children of Queen Petra are unsure how to honor their mother’s multicultural legacy until Owens suggests there’s no reason they can’t have a parade, led by a white horse and carriage, down the very block where their mother was a street vendor. Owens commiserates with Walter Simons, whose grandmother’s passing turns into a double funeral when his grandfather dies just two days later. They share the sorrow and joy in knowing that two people could be so connected by love.

Christine Turner’s debut feature documentary, Homegoings has its national broadcast premiere on Monday, June 24, 2013, at 10 p.m. (check local listings), kicking off the 26th season of the award-winning PBS series POV (Point of View). American television’s longest-running independent documentary series.

Check out the trailer below…

Watch Homegoings – Trailer on PBS. See more from POV.

 Any thoughts?

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