Buried by the Bernards

Buried by the Bernards
Debbie Bernard is speaking into a loudspeaker and looking off-camera, while her brother Kevin looks at her, smiling. They are inside a church standing in front of large colorful stained glass windows.
GenreReality television
Starring
  • Debbie Bernard
  • Ryan Bernard
  • Deja Bernard
  • Raegan Bernard
  • Kevin Miller
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producerIan Gelfand
Producers
  • Warren D. Robinson
  • Marcia Fields
  • Joanna White Oldham
  • Tim Phares
  • Michael Spear
  • Jason Gregory
  • Tamara Martin
Production locationsMemphis, Tennessee
CinematographyPedro Feria Pino
Running time24 minutes
Production company13Brains
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseFebruary 12, 2021 (2021-02-12)

Buried by the Bernards is an American reality comedy series created by Netflix. The series centers on the Bernard family, who operate R. Bernard Funeral Services in Memphis, Tennessee. The series consists of eight episodes that were released on February 12, 2021.[1]

Synopsis

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The series follows the day-to-day operations of a funeral home in Memphis, run by the Bernard family matriarch, Debbie; her son, Ryan; Ryan's uncle, Kevin; and Ryan's daughters, Raegan and Deja.[1][2]

Production

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R. Bernard Funeral Services opened in 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee.[3] The Bernard family received national publicity for the funeral home due to viral marketing campaigns.[1][3] After the business received publicity, Ryan Bernard was contacted by producer Warren D. Robinson about developing a comedic reality series.[4]

The series was filmed in early 2020 just prior to social distancing restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] While the show is not scripted, certain episodes shot in a single day were sometimes depicted as if they happened over several days.[2]

Buried by the Bernards debuted on Netflix on February 12, 2021.[5]

Episodes

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Season 1 (2021)

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No.TitleOriginal air dateProd.
code
1"Meet the Bernards"February 12, 2021 (2021-02-12)101
As Ryan and his mother, Debbie, argue over who's the boss, Raegan gets a crash course in hearse duty, and Deja takes a stand.
2"Driving a Hard Bargain"February 12, 2021 (2021-02-12)102
Kevin gives Ryan a lesson in the fine art of negotiation when the two head off to buy a new hearse. Meanwhile, Debbie puts her granddaughters to work.
3"Life After Death"February 12, 2021 (2021-02-12)103
While Deja and Corey are at a prenatal appointment, Raegan, Ryan, Debbie, Kevin and Tavion pull out all the stops and plan a surprise baby shower.
4"New Kid on the Block"February 12, 2021 (2021-02-12)104
Tavion steps up while Deja takes some time to bond with her newborn. Ryan and Debbie debate whether to expand the business.
5"Daddy Daughter Day"February 12, 2021 (2021-02-12)105
Deja agrees — reluctantly — to go fishing with her dad. Debbie and her pal gossip like pros. Raegan encourages Kevin to learn new makeup techniques.
6"Lights, Camera, Distraction!"February 12, 2021 (2021-02-12)106
The Bernards make an outrageous commercial as Debbie directs. Also, Ryan musters the courage to talk about the birds and the bees with Raegan.
7"Can't Hardly Date"February 12, 2021 (2021-02-12)107
Deja and Raegan pressure Debbie to give online dating a try. Meanwhile, Kevin adds some excitement to Ryan's presentation about the mortuary business.
8"Who's the Boss?"February 12, 2021 (2021-02-12)108
Tired of her father and grandma's constant arguing, Deja brings in a mediator. Meanwhile, it's time for Raegan to finally pick a college.

Reception

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The series received mainly positive reception. In a positive review, Kathryn VanArendonk wrote for Vulture, "The appeal is really in the family dynamic. The Bernards are palpably exasperated with one another, and they also come across as people who sincerely care about each other."[6] Noting the greater context of a show about funeral homes airing amid a deadly pandemic, Allison Herman of The Ringer asserted, "Even a show that actively tries to be escapist can't transcend subject matter this heavy—far heavier than the Bernards could have anticipated when they were mugging for the cameras. In the end, Buried with the Bernards is unfortunately trapped between the light and the macabre."[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Herman, Alison (February 15, 2021). "'Buried by the Bernards' Is a Different Kind of Netflix Reality Show". The Ringer. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Lorre, Rose Maura (February 16, 2021). "Ryan Bernard Answers All Your Burning Buried by the Bernards Questions". Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Nicolaou, Elena (February 12, 2021). "The Stars of "Buried By the Bernards" Talk Growing Up in a Funeral Home". Oprah Magazine. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  4. ^ McCoy, Chris. "Life, Death, and Laughs: Buried by the Bernards Premieres on Netflix". Memphis Flyer. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "Memphis family at center of 'Buried by the Bernards' reality show talks filming ahead of this week's premiere". localmemphis.com. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  6. ^ VanArendonk, Kathryn (February 12, 2021). "Is Now the Worst Time for Buried by the Bernards? Or Is it the Best Time?". Vulture. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
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