COMICSANDS
percolately
georgetakei
secondnexus
george's picks
Prepping for your own death is an impossibly difficult task that people around the world take on every single day.
For most of us, that might mean making funeral plans, checking that life insurance is in place, leaving final instructions, etc.
For Shay Bradley there was one extra step - pulling off his greatest prank ever.
Everyone who knew Shay said his sense of humor was his calling card. According to his daughter, Andrea, her dad (whom she called Poppabear... go ahead, take a moment to process the cuteness) was ever the prankster.
As Shay's passing was the result of "a long illness bravely borne" he had plenty of time to sit around and plan exactly what he was going to do. If you know anyone prone to pranks, you know the best (or maybe worst?) thing in the world for them is time for plotting.
Combine that with the fact that Shay knew nobody would deny a dying man's last wishes and you've got the perfect storm for what his friends and loved ones are calling #ShaysLastLaugh.
And it was epic.
The Irish Defense Forces veteran had been to his fair share of funerals in his time. Knowing they were typically sad and somber occasions, he went out of his way to make sure his funeral-goers left in tears of laughter, not sadness.
So he made a hilariously expletive-filled and inappropriate recording to be played once his body was lowered into the ground. We know, it sounds dark - and it is - but it's also really, really funny.
A few people were in on the prank, and they managed to record the reactions of those who weren't.
Video from his funeral has garnered hundreds of thousands of views. So while Shay may have intended to comfort his loved ones with one last laugh, his mischief also left countless others smiling.
Turn up the volume, but be warned there are several f-bombs.
Twitter users absolutely fell in love.
@lfcgigiddy1122 Amazing 😂😂😂 what a way to put a smile on everyone’s faces 👏👏— Karen Bickerstaffe (@Karen Bickerstaffe) 1570984259.0
@lfcgigiddy1122 This is the best thing I’ve ever seen! Laughter is the best medicine and will heal the soul !!!— colleen#5 (@colleen#5) 1571105541.0
@lfcgigiddy1122 Bless him that's how I'd like my funeral every one crying with laughter instead of weeping for the loss what a top man x— Billie verity 600 (@Billie verity 600) 1570992777.0
@lfcgigiddy1122 What a great sense of humor this man had during his life, especially wanting to turn his friends an… https://t.co/Y0EoNbTr8u— Mary E. Sheffield (@Mary E. Sheffield) 1571104326.0
@lfcgigiddy1122 I love the way it lightened up the mood, probably a true testament to how much they will all miss this man 😂— Sabine Hall (@Sabine Hall) 1571085529.0
@lfcgigiddy1122 😂😂😂 What a wonderful tribute to someone who wanted his family to laugh one more time. God bless you sir!— Tony Holly (@Tony Holly) 1571109932.0
We're glad Shay's loved ones got to experience his sense of humor one last time and that the rest of the world got to see it. Laughter truly is the best medicine.
The comedy film Death at a Funeral is available here.
******
Have you listened to the first season of George Takei's podcast, 'Oh Myyy Pod!'?
In season one we explored the racially charged videos that have taken the internet by storm.
We're hard at work on season two so be sure to subscribe here so you don't miss it when it goes live.
Here's one of our favorite episodes from season one. Enjoy!