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Sunday, April 26, 2015

The Daily Times Delivers Inappropriate Funeral Images

I have been receiving phone calls all morning about how the Daily Times published what everyone is saying are inappropriate funeral images of the entire Todd Family funeral yesterday. 

Image after image they show open caskets and images of mourning and emotional people.

The question is, do YOU feel it is inappropriate? Do you feel this is going too far? I know for me personally, when I go and mourn someone at a funeral I do not want someone taking pictures. To me, it's a deeply personal grieving experience not meant for cameras and video.

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very poor taste on their part. Why would they publish something like this?

JoeAlbero said...

11:55, to sell papers. Remember Ladies & Gentlemen, it's all about the money. Look at all the commercials on WBOC & WMDT as well. Screaming Idiots trying to sell you a car. It's all about the all mighty dollar. Hence the front cover of today's paper. SELL, SELL, SELL.

Anonymous said...

I was appalled when I saw this. Was the talk around the neighborhood last night. My only other thought was someone from the family must have approved this or requested that it be done. Just wrong on both parts.

Anonymous said...

That Douchebag Phil Davis from the Rag must have been involved!!

Anonymous said...

Says the people that didn't mind a picture of the human tree ornament.

Anonymous said...

Disgusting to sensationalize with funeral photos.

Anonymous said...

Very poor taste indeed

Anonymous said...

Maybe at the Mother's request for more attention.

Anonymous said...

Some things are better left "undocumented". I think we understand what a tragedy this is. Exploiting grief is the lowest of the low.

Anonymous said...

How much are they going to charge for a photo of you sitting shotgun in the hearse during the funeral?

Anonymous said...

I am surprise Al and Jessie didn't get themselves PS'ed into these shots.

Anonymous said...

Looking for news without ethics or morals . We are in a sad day in this country and this city.
Funerals are for family and friends. Whoever was in charge of this will suffer , God has a vengeance greater than any on earth .

Anonymous said...

Not sure this is "public" event and release forms should have been signed by those pictured, especially parents need to sign for kids under 18. However, who goes up to a mourning person and asks him/her to sign a release?

Anonymous said...

The funeral director should not allow the media at any funerals unless it has been approved by family beforehand.

Anonymous said...

The Daily Times will continue to be a POS as long as it is published by the Gannett empire.

Anonymous said...

The media was asking for interviews with teachers of the students as we were walking out after the viewing. We told them that this wasn't the time nor place. I've lost a lot of respect over the last few weeks for our local news sources because of this tragic event.

Anonymous said...

They continue to show a lack of professionalism. I can remember when this paper was respectful. The staff and reporters continue to display a lack of class.

Anonymous said...

Very bad taste to have that on the front page. Has the Daily Times have no morals at all. Shame""""

Anonymous said...

You might be offended as it is not the way a white service is conducted. But let me assure you the majority of the black population.approve of pictures being taken throughout the service. It is not unusual to hire photographers to take pictures and video tape the complete service including the viewing. Family and friends also take pictures and record the service. The family videos often are put on You Tube. for others to see.

If you choose, do an internet search of the Todd Family Funeral. The Baltimore Sun has pictures of the mourners and the precious angels in their caskets with their coverage, as does USA Today, WBOC, The Washington Post, plus many other press. The Daily Mail has many more pictures than most. in their coverage

You may not approve of my culture since it is different than yours, but I approve of Deborah Gates and the Daily Times for their coverage and thank them for publishing the Todd Family article and pictures. I do feel if you think the Daily Times needs to be called out for their story, you should also be pointing fingers at all newspapers who published the Todd family story.

Mr Albero your intention was to tell your readers about your disapproval of the Daily Times. My problem is some of the comments are against how our race deals with lost of loved ones. In our time of mourning I find it sad people believe God put them on earth to judge others, who's values are different than their own. May God Bless our many cultures

Anonymous said...

Most photos usually has the photographer's name on them, they are as much to blame for the lack of any ethic on their part, but as Joe said it is all about the money!!

Anonymous said...

Bit jim wants to see ya lol....

Anonymous said...

"But let me assure you the majority of the black population.approve of pictures being taken throughout the service. It is not unusual to hire photographers to take pictures and video tape the complete service including the viewing. Family and friends also take pictures and record the service. The family videos often are put on You Tube. for others to see."
It's hard to believe you speak for the majority of the black population.
When I was a child living close to Polish and Irish neighborhoods, it was common practice to photograph the dead in the coffin and hang those in the living and dining rooms to the horror of the local kids. Practice died out about half a century ago for good reason.
Not a white or black thing, just social norms that have evolved concerning privacy, which in this e-age is a commodity more precious than gold.

Anonymous said...

To capitalize on the misfortune of others is so very sad and no class at all. School pictures of the children and a picture of the father would have been done with class. This is horrible. Adults can handle those pictures, children shouldn't be exposed to that kind of grief without an adult there to explain and provide comfort. Isn't Greg's ex working at the Daily Times? She should be ashamed to be associated with DT in any way, shape or form.

Anonymous said...

greg's ex is everybody's ex, got money and thinks she's somebody. what has she really accomplished in her life except trying to rub elbows with the elite thinking it makes her look good.

Anonymous said...

If your tradition of filming and photos at a funeral are for families that cannot attend, so be it. It does not need to be displayed on the front page of the newspapers. Their school pictures would have seemed more appropriate. I still think the mother is trying to get more attention to herself than is necessary.

Anonymous said...

If your culture sends a message of approval , then so be it . Send it to your culture , there are many minority culture magazines in the area . The news paper is not owned by Ms Gates , it is there for all cultures which most find sickening.
Remember , the culture that is represented is a minority , do you understand what minority is ?

Anonymous said...

Yes, This was inappropriate!

Anonymous said...

Those who criticize the public display made of the funeral seem to feel the display violated the privacy of those in mourning. It probably never occurred to most readers that the mourners were OK with the newspaper's attention. Statements meant to protect vulnerable family and friends should not be seen as racist.

Anonymous said...

Creepy and weird came to my mind when I saw the pics on the news stand. I certainly didn't buy it.

Anonymous said...

DT should actually do some investigative reporting and give us some real news if they want to sell papers. Most people don't want to read reprinted court documents and other stale news, that's why we go to the blogs.

Anonymous said...

4:15- Ukrainians did the same thing and some that hold to traditions still do so today. The only limitations no picture taking in church but since this service wasn't held in a house of worship does make a difference.

Anonymous said...

Not only do some in insular Ukrainian US communities take photos of the deceased to this day, if it is anyone of any prominence within the Ukrainian communities the pictures are sometimes published in the US weekly Ukrainian newspaper.
To each his own and if it doesn't bother the family why should it bother anyone else.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure this was done with the family's approval. As others have said, different cultures have different norms in this area and it's not PC rationalization to point this one out. Post mortem photographs were normal among white folks until sometime after WWII.

Anonymous said...

no one has ever seen a picture of someone laying in a coffin? Bruce Lee comes to mind. And some countries put people on display that others can come and look at them.

Granted these are not everyday people but it should be up to the family if they want pictures or not.

Everyone gets so uptight over a dead body. Everyone will have one some day. Putting ur heads in the sand and not wanting to see dead people will not make it go away. lighten up

Anonymous said...


The Daily Times offended only the white folks who would rather rant about being offended by the traditional black funeral. You always say you ain't racist and prove it by saying you even live in a black man's house here in Ocean City. Might be true sir but it is also true you know nothing about the black man's culture and traditions. If you did you would not have been offended by the Daily Times pictures. You would have known how we honor our loved ones when they pass. After all it is not just "my way or the highway" White people who read the Daily Times .

one last thing sir -You who copied and pasted a picture from Face Book, IMO, are lying by saying "I am so offended and horrified over a picture in the daily Times". Remember pasting on your blog that picture of a black dead man hanging from a tree in back of Bed, Bath and Beyond. The Daily Times had good sense enough to know all races would be offended and did not publish it, o. Not that it matters to you, but our Black Community has now seen the true Mr Albero.

Anonymous said...

Would have been a better story if this had be Obama's funeral!

Anonymous said...

12:20 sure would have! It would be one of this countries biggest celebrations ever!
There have been many dead peoples photo's published, Elvis, Rick Nelson, Whitney Huston, Ect. It is about selling papers.

Anonymous said...

Sure would be nice to see Obama in a casket, yes sir, I'll drink to that!

Anonymous said...

Off limits.

Anonymous said...

It's totally inappropriate & NOT the public's "right to know".

Unknown said...

Just because it is not appropiate for YOUR Culture, does NOT Mean it's NOT it isn't appropriate for THEIR Culture, the newspaper serves ALL Cultures so, YEAH IT WAS APPROPRIATE!! Remember lours is NOT to judge others, that's Gods job!!

Anonymous said...

What doesn't make sense to me, is how they got these pictures. To me it looks like a photographer had to get certain shot. A high up angle. Maybe the family wanted this, maybe they didn't.

Anonymous said...

The daily times is garbage...we cancelled our subscription a year or so ago and couldn't be happier. We were tired of their poor taste and their liberal agenda. I would give them a couple years before they shut the doors everyone we know has cancelled their subscription.

Anonymous said...

somebody allowed it to go on

Anonymous said...

I know how people feel about this. I lost my youngest son six years ago. His mother and I are divorced and were divorced at the time of his death. At the time of the funeral, my ex-wife had the entire service at the church video graphed as well as at the grave-site and all of this was done without my knowledge, authorization or permission. When I asked who had this done, I was told no one knew. At the time of his death my son was a U.S. Marine who was home on leave and returning to base when he had a car accident and passed, Seeing the video being made and being made by a person I didn't know, I feared the worse because numerous military funerals had been filmed for anti-war propaganda. I finally discovered that my ex-wife had this despicable sick act done. I was even offered a CD of the service which I declined. Services such as this, as well as my son's service, are very solemn occasions that require no video or photographs and very basically by doing such, the deceased are being dishonored in a very horrific way. Certain life occasions need not be photographed or videoed out of respect to the deceased and family. For those who do this, all I can say is that you are terribly twisted and sick. This is not an occasion to play on your CD player or VHS player for others to see and, if you';re a decent human being, there is no way you will ever forget this event and recording such just demonstrates your depravity and need need for help. In addition, it's just plain rude to those in attendance. For those who do this or condone same, you have no honor, humanity, respect or code of ethics.

Anonymous said...

The question is, do YOU feel it is inappropriate?

High profile funerals are often covered by the media. Nothing was done by the media without the approval of the family involved. No harm, and no foul. Some people are always offended by stuff that, quite frankly, is none of their business, and has nothing to do with them.