A grandfather hosts a rave-themed funeral for his grandson, feeling a deep connection and the urge to dance in his memory.
In a heartfelt tribute, a grandfather from Italy held a rave-themed funeral for his late grandson, Kevin Gentilin.
This unusual celebration of life took place after Kevin, just 15 years old, tragically lost his life in a car accident.
The accident happened on October 25, when he was riding his vintage Vespa scooter to school and was hit by a car during rush hour traffic in Castelfranco Veneto.
Grandfather holds rave-themed funeral for grandson and dances beside his coffin
Gino Gentilin, the 66-year-old grandfather, wanted to honor his grandson in a way that reflected their strong bond.
Music was a big part of their relationship, and Gino believed Kevin would have loved the idea of a lively send-off.
Instead of a traditional funeral, Gino decided to create a vibrant atmosphere filled with techno and pop music, which they both enjoyed.
A heartfelt dance tribute
At the funeral, Gino surprised everyone by breaking into a dance routine next to Kevin’s coffin.
Family and friends cheered him on as he expressed his love and grief through movement.
Gino felt that this was a way to connect with Kevin one last time.
“In those moments, I felt Kevin’s presence among us, and I felt that he wanted me to dance with him so that we could have fun together once again,” Gino shared.
The grandfather sought family approval for his tribute.
Before performing his tribute, Gino made sure to get permission from Kevin’s parents.
His son and daughter-in-law were supportive of the idea, understanding that it was a meaningful way for Gino to say goodbye.
Gino chose a selection of music for the occasion, starting with songs from the Italian band 883, followed by tracks from the Brothers, and finally a remix by DJ Matrix.
A spiritual connection
As Gino danced, he felt a deep spiritual connection with his grandson.
“I turned directly to him, I shouted, ‘Fly Kevin, now you are free!’” he said.
This energetic farewell was not only a celebration of Kevin’s life but also a way for Gino to process his own feelings.
He described the experience as exhausting yet uplifting, saying, “I was exhausted, but at the same time, I felt light.”
Unbeknownst to him, many attendees were recording the heartfelt dance.
When the video appeared on social media, it quickly went viral.
Gino later expressed surprise at how widely it spread.
“What I didn’t know is that they would film the scene with their cell phones and that the video would end up on social media and in the newspapers,” he recalled.
Gino acknowledged that not everyone might understand his approach to the funeral.
He apologized if the dance offended anyone’s sensibilities but emphasized that it was a “declaration of love” for his grandson.
“That dance saved me,” he said, showing how important it was for him to express his grief in a way that felt authentic.
“I apologize if I have offended anyone’s sensibilities, but believe me that dance, a declaration of love to my grandson, saved me,” he admitted.