A woman hosted a funeral to memorialize leaving her job, and the internet is hooked.
Emilie Johnsen, 25, known as @emilie_johnsen on TikTok, recently took her work exit to the next level by hosting a “funeral” to commemorate her time at Gina Tricot, a Scandinavian women’s clothing store.
Her unconventional farewell, shared in a video that’s racked up 22,800 likes and 385,000 views on TikTok, has captivated viewers worldwide.
“We were inspired to host a ‘funeral’ for our time at Gina Tricot as a way to celebrate the unique bond we formed during our years there,” Johnsen, from Norway, told Newsweek.
Images of the coworkers’ “memorial.” The internet was obsessed with the creative send-off after a former colleague quit her job.
@emilie_johnsen/@emilie_johnsen
“My coworker and friend, Vilma, and I were both leaving the store around the same time, so we thought it would be a fun and memorable way to mark the end of this chapter in our lives.”
Taking place in late July, the event combined humor with nostalgia to capture the friendships and memories from her four years at the store.
During this time, Johnsen also pursued a master’s degree in special educational needs.
The video itself offers a glimpse of the “memorial service,” complete with orders of service, flowers, and photos of the “newly deceased.” As Johnsen explains, “We went all out to create a funeral atmosphere.
“We sent out invitations resembling traditional funeral notices, featuring pictures of Vilma and me, along with the time and place of the event. The dress code was black. We decorated with fake flowers and displayed some humorous, unflattering pictures of us on a ‘memory table,’ along with candles typically found in graveyards.”
Inside the program was a popular Norwegian hymn and the group’s anthem, “Stay” by Rihanna. Guests even shared speeches in honor of the “fallen workers,” with friends and coworkers joining in to celebrate the bittersweet end of an era.
“The best part of the day was celebrating our friendship. We love themed parties, and this one let us reflect on our time together while having fun,” Johnsen shared. After the two-hour “service,” the group continued the night at their favorite bar, where they danced and celebrated the memorable send-off.
Leaving Gina Tricot was bittersweet for Johnsen, who had formed a close-knit friendship with her colleagues—now friends for life, who stay in touch daily.
Research from Mitsu shows that close friendships between colleagues can boost mental well-being, job satisfaction, and help reduce work stress.
Positive working relationships provide a safe space for support and encouragement, enhancing both productivity and job satisfaction.
Users couldn’t get enough of the farewell. “Iconic,” one user commented, while another said: “This is wayyyyyy too funny.”
“Now this is a way to quit,” said another viewer.
Reflecting on the day, Johnsen concluded: “Everyone got into the theme, which made the event so much fun. The mix of humor, memories, and heartfelt speeches created a warm atmosphere. It showed how close we all are and how much we value our time together.”
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