Father’s Death as Content: Humanity, Greed, or the Price of YouTube Fame?

A Pakistani YouTuber filmed her father’s death and funeral as a vlog, not one but two vlogs. Is this content creation or greed? What does Islam say about such moments?

A camera lens can capture smiles, memories, and milestones. But when the same lens is pointed at a father’s last breath, his coffin, and even his funeral, the question becomes too heavy: is this still content creation, or has humanity been sold for views?

Recently, a Pakistani YouTuber shocked viewers by uploading not one but two vlogs about her father’s death and funeral. The thumbnails, the edited clips of grief, and even glimpses of the burial left people disturbed. Some viewers asked: How could a daughter pick up a camera instead of holding her father’s hand for the last time?

Critics called it “greed in the name of content.” Supporters argued, “Vlogging is her source of income; this was part of life, so why not record it?” But the real question is: couldn’t she put the camera aside for just one day? How many dollars would she really lose by not uploading a vlog for a single day?

The Problem of Desensitization in Content Creation

Family vlogging has already blurred the line between privacy and profit. Weddings, pregnancies, and even family fights are broadcast for likes and sponsorships. But death? That is where humanity must draw a line.

When funerals are turned into monetized content, it is not just grief being sold, but dignity. As one viewer put it: “They are using the thumb of a dead body to ask for likes.”

This is not just about one vlogger. It is about a society that applauds oversharing until it backfires. Middle-class families now feel pressured to record every moment for validation, competing with others in a dangerous race for attention.

What Islam Says About Mourning and Dignity

In Islam, death is a sacred moment. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught that the deceased must be honored, buried with dignity, and mourned with patience.

• Islam prescribes three days of mourning for the family, except for a widow who observes four months and ten days (iddah). (Sahih Bukhari)

  This hadith reminds us that the deceased deserves the same respect as the living.

• Turning death into a spectacle for subscribers undermines the sanctity of this period. Instead of turning to Allah in prayer, we are turning to cameras and editing software.

• How Other Religions View Death and Public Display of Grief

  Just like Islam emphasizes dignity and patience in mourning, other religions also stress privacy, respect, and sacredness when it comes to death.

  • Christianity: Funerals are considered sacred ceremonies, often held in churches or family homes. The Bible teaches believers to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15), highlighting compassion rather than performance. Publicly displaying grief for fame or profit is widely seen as disrespectful in Christian communities.

  • Hinduism: Funerals involve rituals like cremation and prayers for the departed soul’s peace (antyesti). These rites are sacred, meant to help the soul transition, not to be consumed as entertainment. Turning such rituals into digital content would be viewed as a distraction from spirituality.

  • Buddhism: Death is seen as part of the cycle of rebirth, and funerals focus on meditation, chanting, and reflection. Respect and mindfulness are central, recording grief for social media would be seen as clashing with the principle of detachment from materialistic gains.

  “Across religions—Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism the message is the same: death is a sacred moment that deserves dignity, not display; compassion, not clicks.”

Humanity vs. Views: Where Do We Stand?

The vlogger defended herself by saying: “Our vlog series was ongoing, so we had to cover it.” But is every moment worth covering? Must every tear, every coffin, every goodbye be sold online?

The truth is, views fade, likes fade, but dignity and respect remain eternal. When grief turns into content, humanity is the first casualty. When we place content above compassion, we are not only losing touch with religion, but also with humanity.

This incident is not just a question for one YouTuber. It is a mirror for every content creator.

Have we become so obsessed with clicks and monetization that we cannot put the camera down even at a funeral and graveyard?

The Prophet (ﷺ) reminded us: “The best among you are those who have the best manners and character.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Let us ask ourselves: Is our content building humanity or breaking it? Are we spreading awareness or selling emotions? Are we honoring the dead or cashing in on their silence? In the end, the biggest “view” is not on YouTube, but the day when Allah will view our deeds.

The father’s death vlog was not just shocking, it was heartbreaking. It is time to rethink where we draw the line in digital storytelling. Because some moments are not meant for the world, some are meant only for the heart, for family, and for Allah.