One Texas family is going viral for finding laughter in the middle of deep grief. The Gilinsky family gathered to say goodbye to a beloved father, expecting a solemn, traditional farewell. What they didn’t expect was a surprise soundtrack that turned a heartbreaking day into a moment they’ll never forget.
The funeral took place as loved ones quietly gathered inside the synagogue, the mood was heavy, as you’d expect anywhere in Texas or beyond when a family is mourning. Arielle Gilinsky had just finished a private viewing with her immediate family and was sitting in the back of the temple, going over final details before the service began. Then something completely unexpected happened: Alice Deejay’s unmistakable early-2000s club hit “Better Off Alone” started blasting through the space, per People.
Instead of silence or soft hymns, a full-on techno anthem filled the room, and it was caught on TikTok.
Texas Funeral Mishap Leaves Family In Tears From Laughter
Arielle quickly realized what had gone wrong. The playlist she had carefully put together for the after-party, yes, there was supposed to be an after-party was accidentally playing as guests arrived. The emotional whiplash was real. Tears were still flowing when her aunt leaned over and dropped a line that changed everything: “Oh my gosh, your dad loved this song.”
That’s when the shock gave way to laughter. While the mix-up wasn’t planned, it turned out to be oddly perfect for honoring the man they were there to remember. Arielle described her father as a “big time party animal,” someone who ran nightclubs in the early ’90s and thrived on being the center of attention. He wasn’t the kind of guy who wanted a stiff, overly serious goodbye, even if the rest of the family originally envisioned something more traditional.
“He ran nightclubs in the early ’90s, and he was always the life of the party,” she explained, adding that she was basically raised on club music. Their bond was built on fun, loud songs, and shared joy. In her words, he was like the “cool mom” from Mean Girls, the kind of parent who knew how to have a good time and didn’t take life too seriously.
What could have been mortifying instead became healing. Arielle said the moment was “funny” and that it “lightened the mood,” not just for her but for others in the room. Even her grandmother had a surprisingly positive reaction, with many family members joking that her dad must have had a hand in it somehow.
The Mistake Lightened the Mood
The moment didn’t stay private for long. A video capturing Arielle, her friends, and her partner laughing as the song played has since gone viral on TikTok. No one could hold it together, especially as they imagined exactly how her dad would’ve reacted bad dancing and all.
“They knew that was my dad’s favorite song and they know if he wasn’t in the coffin he’d be cracking up and dancing (terribly),” she said.
For Arielle, the experience was deeply meaningful. Despite the fact that she and her father hadn’t spoken for several years before his death, the moment brought unexpected peace. “The whole funeral was filled with tears and laughter,” she shared, calling it “very cathartic.”
This Texas farewell proves something powerful: sometimes the most memorable goodbyes aren’t planned. They’re loud, imperfect, emotional, and exactly what a loved one would have wanted.
Dylan Cook 
Kendra Quinn 
Casey James 
