New reality series reveals lives of local funeral undertakers (Showmax)

Sara-Jayne Makwala King talks to undertaker Candice Austin and content producer Jody Taylor.

'Every funeral tells its own story.'

'People wonder how we can work with dead bodies.'

'There's no food like funeral food.'

These are just some of the lines casting some light on the funeral business from the new Showmax reality series Die Ondernemers (The Undertakers).

It follows three entrepreneurs in the industry and is filled more levity than you might expect from a show with death as subject matter, remarks Sara-Jayne Makwala King.

She chats to featured undertaker Candice Austin and content producer Jody Taylor.

Austin's been in the business for 17 years, and roped in her sister following the death of her parents three years ago after they contracted COVID.

Her mom and dad took over Goodall & Bourne Funeral Undertakers in 2008, but it has been in existence for  80 years already. 

"After I studied I was told by my dad that I'm going to come and help him at the office for two weeks... and 17 years later,  here I am!"

"I forced my sister to resign from her job because I lost the two of them; I need somebody by my side and she's there running it with me most days."

Candice Austin, Owner - Goodall & Bourne Funeral Undertakers

Austin says the job is definitely a calling for her, which is why it's become her passion.

Helping people during a time of grief is part of what drives her, along with the work's link to her family.

"People often ask me what's my favourite thing about the job and I realised after my parents passed away that it is walking in their footsteps, doing their passion and then slowly realising that it's my passion too... And then I get to do it alongside my sister, which is even better."

"I feel I am there to help someone during the worst time of their life making things a little bit easier and, slowly in doing so, I also try and encourage my clients to see that, after death, there is life again"

Candice Austin, Owner - Goodall & Bourne Funeral Undertaker

Content producer Jody Taylor who worked on the production, says the concept came about when Showmax and Media24's POP24 realised that South Africa doesn't have a local reality show about funeral undertakers.

"We approached the three undertakers, and when they said 'yes' the rest is history!"

Jody Taylor, Content Producer - POP25

Taylor relates how working with the three undertakers helped change her attitude towards death.

"I was very scared of death but this show changed everything for me. I think it's because of the way Candice, Jano and Ramone worked together with us."

"We were filming for 41 days and every Saturday we were at a funeral, filming at different cemeteries in Cape Town. They just told me it's going to be fine; they literally held our hands."

Jody Taylor, Content Producer - POP25

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the conversation