Jano van der Berg on watching himself on Die Ondernemers

Die Ondernemers is a reality show that delves into the funeral industry, spotlighting the larger-than-life personalities who guide families through the process of arranging funerals. Produced by POP24, the series offers an inside look at the work of three undertakers, showcasing their roles from start to finish.

The cast includes Candice Austin, owner of Goodall & Bourne Funeral Undertakers; Jano van der Berg, owner of Van der Berg Funeral Services; and former Stormers rugby player Ramone Samuels, managing director of SamWill Funeral Services, co-owned by his brother, Springbok fullback Damian Willemse.

To celebrate the show, we caught up with 33-year-old Jano and he gave us the rundown on working with the dead, his music career and the show.

How has watching yourself on TV been?

Watching myself on TV has been quite the journey. It honestly makes me feel very proud of myself and how far I have come. Through this journey, I get to give people an inside look at my daily life as an undertaker.

How do you balance music and undertaking?

There is no perfect balance. I am passionate about music and undertaking so I take turns with each. There are times when undertaking is my sole focus, and there are times when music is what I focus on. They work hand in hand because in both I have to read the crowd and know what to do next.

Watch the trailer for Die Ondernemers

What are some of the misconceptions people have about undertakers?

The biggest misconception I have heard about undertakers is that we are in it for the money and that we do not care about the well-being of the people we are assisting. That is not true – we go out of our way to give people excellent service in their time of need.

What are some of the scariest things you’ve experienced as an undertaker?

The scariest thing I have experienced as an undertaker happened to me five years ago while working on a corpse, prepping it for the next day. As I was dressing the corpse, it literally grabbed my hand – twice.

What is the wildest request you’ve received for a funeral?

The craziest request I have received was when a client wanted to fill half of the grave with rose petals for his deceased wife because her favourite song was Bon Jovi’s Bed of Roses.

When you see funerals on TV shows, do you often get annoyed by the setup as a professional?

Because this is my profession and I am great at it, whenever I see funerals, I am critical because I know the business very well. I can always tell what’s missing or what needs to be added.

Why should people watch?

People should watch Die Ondernemers to understand and appreciate what we as undertakers go through to make their loved ones’ funerals dignified. There is a lot that goes into the job – it is not just physical, it is also mental.

New episodes of Die Ondernemers land on Showmax every Monday until 7 October 2024.