Family's backyard funeral for 3-year-old daughter's pacifier amuses the internet

One of the challenging times in a toddler's life is to give up their pacifier. While they're ready to get rid of this habit as they grow up, parting with the comfort of the pacifier is quite hard. So when his 3-year-old daughter was prepared to say goodbye to her "Paci," Jake Bishop—who goes by @jakebishopart on TikTok—planned an impromptu funeral for the pacifier. The quick backyard funeral video shared this June gathered over 2 million views and people found it adorable. The kid, Hazel, paid her last respects to her Paci in the cutest way possible and made her family proud.  

The dad turned out to be the funeral officiant dressed up in a casual t-shirt and shorts topped with a black coat. A small pit was dug out to bury the pacifier in the backyard and a cross with "Paci" written on it stood behind the pit. A makeshift podium was made using a trash bin and the dad began Paci's eulogy. Hazel sat and listened attentively as her dad said, "We are gathered here to remember Pass 'The Pacifier' Bishop, one of the greatest pacis to have ever graced the lips of a toddler. From our mouths to our hearts, Paci brought a sense of peace and calm to our Hazel Jean." Hazel and Paci were called upon and the little girl threw her pacifier into the pit and covered it up.

The dad then asked Hazel to stand by him as the bagpipes played to give Paci a sendoff. Though this was an unplanned funeral, Hazel knew to salute right when the music played. "Our restless little girl is always on the move. Her sitting through the pacifier funeral for as long as she did was impressive," Bishop told People. Additionally, the dad promised the little girl that a surprise would await her the next day which was her birthday. "Growing up is hard. Growing out of a Paci is harder. She handled it like a champ! Love you, Hazel Jean. Impromptu funeral. It's worth it," the video's caption read.

The comments section was filled with love and adoration for Hazel and her family. "The garbage can alter and Dad's appropriate outfit (shorts and Crocs) did it for me! Bye-bye Paci," said @ped.d38. "The wise words from the paci had me in tears. Plus the music is genius," quipped @missnt901. "As a former funeral director, I approve of this post. This is the cutest I’ve ever seen! She’s so great about it all. The salute has me," added @coralthecuriousoctopus.

The next day, Hazel got to see the surprise package awaiting her at the pacifier's grave. The dad shared an update as to how Hazel got a package of interesting goodies for her birthday. "Giving up pacis is hard, but early mornings are harder. She's a nighttime girlie for sure. But glowstick bath parties, candies, toys and a new bike made this go smooth like butter," the caption read.

Turns out, Hazel also got a new bike for her birthday, as per the news channel. "She's been doing amazingly well since then. She hasn't mentioned the pacifier and hasn't had any meltdowns. She's embraced this transition to big girlhood. It's been incredible," the dad explained. "Tough times like these don't have to be hard. They don't have to be painful memories. We can do them in any way we choose, and let these kids lead the way," he added.

You can follow Jake Bishop (@jakebishopart) on TikTok for more family and art content.