Sun | Jan 5, 2025
Stranger than Fiction

Woman stages rehearsal for own funeral

Published:Thursday | May 20, 2021 | 1:08 AMA Digital Integration & Marketing production
Mayra Alonzo lies in her coffin during a fake funeral.

A woman staged a rehearsal for her own funeral in the Dominican Republic.

Mayra Alonzo was desperate to find out what her funeral service would be like so decided to stage a trial run in the city of Santiago.

Alonzo was dressed in white for the event and rented a coffin for the day while she arrived at the 'funeral' in a traditional hearse.

Her friends and family also said teary goodbyes, although some were reportedly better at faking their sadness than others.

According to local media, Alonzo's unusual ceremony cost her $1,000 (£710) and she spent several hours inside the coffin while her guests enjoyed food and drinks as well as exchanging stories about her life.

She described the gathering as a "dream come true" but warned her loved ones not to die anytime soon as it was an unpleasant experience inside the coffin.


This is a production independent of The Gleaner Company (Media) Limited's newsroom. For feedback: contact the Digital Integration and Marketing Department at Newsletters@gleanerjm.com