Digital Dying By: Justin Nobel

by Justin Nobel

Rudolph Valentino was the suave Italian star of the silent film, "The Sheik", which detailed the romantic misadventures of a western woman and a rich sheik in the Arabian Desert. Valentino died unexpectedly at the age of 31. Upon hearing the news, several fans were so overcome with grief they killed themselves.

For Gary Coleman, fame was a burden. After the once well-known child actor died of a brain hemorrhage last month, his final wishes surfaced. They stipulated that his funeral only be attended by, “those who have no financial ties to me and who can look each other in the eyes and say they really cared personally for Gary Coleman.” He also barred press from attending. Coleman's death was followed by a three week-long feud between his ex-wife and an ex-girlfriend over who would get the measly savings he had left, a Utah house worth $315,000. In the end, with the hullaballoo dragging on, Coleman's lawyer announced there would be no funeral at all.

Superstars have long tried to run from their fame, and at few times is this inclination stronger than in death. Some celebrity funerals go haywire, explaining why Coleman and others choose a quiet good bye. But some celeb funerals go off with only minor hitches, and some inspire the divine. Read the rest of this entry »

by Justin Nobel

After being dead for four days, Jesus revived Lazarus of Bethany. Today, "Lazarus Syndrome" refers to a condition in which people thought to be dead show signs of life.

While Ademir Jorge Goncalves and friends were drinking sugarcane liquor in a park in Santo Antonio de Platina, Brazil, a car crashed. The driver was killed and his body was brought to the hospital, where Goncalves's aunt and uncle were brought in to examine it. “The corpse was badly disfigured,” said a police spokesperson. The family members confirmed the body was indeed that of their nephew and a funeral was held the next day. But Goncalves was not dead, just hung over. “Before long, the walking dead appeared at the funeral,” said the police officer. “It was a relief.” Read the rest of this entry »