Raccoon Funeral: How a Corpse Became Successful on the Internet

Imagine the following situation: One fine morning you are on your way to work and you encounter a dead raccoon on the sidewalk. What would you do: deviate from the animal and get on with your life? Would you try to put an end to the deceased? Would you be disgusted and pretend you didn't see the poor guy lying on the floor? For the citizens of Toronto, Canada, sensitized by the animal's death, joined in pain and even organized a memorial for the animal.

According to Dovas of the Bored Panda portal, it all started yesterday when a passerby found the raccoon and warned the Toronto authorities via Twitter about the unfortunate misfortune. See the scene of the incident below:

Toronto wildlife.

A photo published by Emily Taylor (@ emilyjs5) on Jul 9, 2015 at 5:00 pm PDT

The authorities responded to the message shortly after, explaining that they had been notified of the sad occurrence, and that the relevant body had been notified. You can check out the tweet below:

However, after this exchange of warnings, people began to be moved by the death of the poor raccoon, and soon the corpse began to receive small honors from anonymous citizens. One left a note beside his body, wishing the pet would rest in peace - and warning that the authorities were on their way to retrieve it. Look:

Raccoon update: he's still here. Someone has written him a card.

A photo published by Emily Taylor (@ emilyjs5) on Jul 9, 2015 at 9:14 PDT

However, the authorities did not come, and about six hours after the first tweet people had already deposited a flower, a card and a photo near the raccoon's body. It wasn't long before the dead man got the #DeadRaccoonTO hashtag ! And in the face of the mobilization, even a local government aide came forward, asking someone to fetch the animal.

Please have staff pick up this raccoon at 819 Yonge St, @ 311Toronto. H / T @jasonwagar. #TOpoli pic.twitter.com/iPSlgRfMwr

- Norm Kelly (@norm) 9 July 2015

And from then on, among citizens who were angry at the authorities' delay in resolving the issue and many others who took the opportunity to poke fun at it, the history of the raccoon gained enormous proportions. Someone deposited more flowers, and someone left a pen in place for those who wished to leave their condolences:

You'll be missed buddy! #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/fQ6KGlsg47

- Cube Blog (@cuboblog) 10 July 2015

Surprisingly, hours later the dead animal was still on the sidewalk - and the tributes increased:

The sidewalk memorial is growing, @ 311Toronto. H / T @jasonwagar. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/3vTUf9xB7b

- Norm Kelly (@norm) 10 July 2015

And as night fell, the citizens began to leave their dumpsters open in tribute to the poor pet:

Twelve hours later, with the dead raccoon still sprawled on the sidewalk, the citizens began to leave candles burning near their bodies:

Candlelight vigil now being held for #DeadRaccoonTO. Picture courtesy of @gavingraham. pic.twitter.com/HrpApfbBfJ

- Norm Kelly (@norm) 10 July 2015

And writing touching farewell messages:

Leaving some messages for #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/xirnynU4qa

- Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) 10 July 2015

They even left a seven-day candle by the pet!

Someone has just dropped off a religious Jesus candle beside the raccoon. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/fCD794YEV8

- Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) 10 July 2015

And a little donation box - so the city could afford a decent burial for the raccoon:

Someone has added a donation box beside the dead raccoon. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/fXHzcf9LJu

- Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) 10 July 2015

For only after a total of 14 hours waiting for the authorities did they finally show up to take the corpse away.

The city of Toronto worker is now preparing to remove the raccoon. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/DASkviOkiE

- Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) 10 July 2015

And they put the raccoon in a garbage bag in front of some silent citizens who were watching on the spot. Check out:

Here is The City of Toronto worker removing the raccoon. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/nwbgOIIEQB

- Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) 10 July 2015

After the dead animal was collected, some people even lit more candles in their honor.

One last candle for our little buddy Conrad. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/hBmcM9yT5I

- Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) 10 July 2015

And we don't know what end the poor raccoon took. But of course everyone hopes that he has finally rested in peace. However, don't think the pet's story has come to an end because it has already become a meme, and a lot of jokes involving the "dead celebrity" is already circulating on the internet!