‘We Meant No Disrespect’ – Family Responds After Viral Video of Matric Pupil Emerging from a Casket at Prom Goes Viral. WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

‘We Meant No Disrespect’ – Family Responds After Viral Video of Matric Pupil Emerging from a Casket at Prom Goes Viral

A matric pupil arriving at her school prom in Phoenix inside a casket has sparked outrage on social media, with many users labeling the act as “disrespectful and distasteful.”

The 17-year-old girl arrived at the event, held at the Sunford School hall, emerging from a white casket while wearing a black ball gown. The video capturing this moment has since gone viral, showing a hearse arriving, the casket being opened, and the girl stepping out in her dress.

Speaking to IOL, the girl’s aunt, Kadisha Sewduth, expressed sadness over the backlash her niece has faced. “My niece didn’t mean to cause any harm. She wanted to make an appearance at her prom and had no ill-intention,” Sewduth stated.

Sewduth emphasized that her niece is now being taunted on social media, with people failing to consider her feelings. “The statement that she is planning her own death is not true. This was a dream which we made a reality, and also, it is not the first time something like this has been done,” she explained.

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Since the video was posted, social media has been flooded with memes mocking the girl. “It’s sad that grown men and women are also doing this,” Sewduth added.

Jeremiah Naidoo, the owner of KZN Caskets and Coffin, who provided the casket, also responded to the criticism. “Firstly, we meant no disrespect to anyone. This is one of my employee’s nieces who wanted to make a grand entrance at her prom, and I wanted to help by making her dream come true,” Naidoo said.

Naidoo pointed out that similar events have occurred before, mentioning another recent event in Durban where a singer emerged from a casket to begin performing. “We didn’t think it was anything unusual and there was definitely no ill-intentions to disrespect the dead or anyone else. We didn’t think that people would get offended,” he added. Naidoo also mentioned that they did not charge any money for their service.

Lenny Reddy, the owner of Wyebank Funeral Service, clarified that they were unaware their hearse would be used to transport a casket. “We thought the pupils would drive in the hearse like we had a request for this 10 years ago,” Reddy said, adding that they did not charge for this event and were merely helping out as they typically do in similar cases.

The incident has highlighted the sensitivity around the use of funeral imagery in celebrations, with many calling for more thoughtful consideration of public reactions to such stun