Reality TV star Teddi Mellencamp recently opened up in a candid and somewhat unexpected conversation about her famous father, legendary singer John Mellencamp. In a revealing discussion, Teddi shared that John, now in his early 70s, has already started making surprisingly detailed burial arrangements—not for himself, but for her.
The former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star disclosed these unconventional family conversations during her podcast, “Two Ts In A Pod,” which she co-hosts alongside fellow reality star Tamra Judge. According to Teddi, her father has always had an honest, sometimes blunt, outlook on life and mortality, but his latest preparation went far beyond what she expected.
“My dad called me recently and asked if I’d prefer to be buried or cremated,” Teddi said during a recent episode. “Initially, I thought he was joking, but he was completely serious. He was genuinely concerned about planning things out, even down to small details.” She admitted the conversation was oddly touching yet morbidly humorous, leaving her amused yet also slightly unsettled.
John Mellencamp’s direct approach to life and death isn’t new. Throughout his career, the “Jack & Diane” singer has often shared openly about his philosophies and straightforward attitude toward aging. Earlier this year, John revealed in a heartfelt interview with Howard Stern that aging has made him more reflective and appreciative of every moment.
Teddi, while initially caught off guard, expressed admiration for her father’s candidness. “He’s always been practical and prepared, sometimes to the point of being uncomfortable,” she joked. “But honestly, it’s refreshing to talk openly about these things, rather than avoid the topic entirely.”
Fans reacted strongly online after Teddi shared this unusual father-daughter exchange. Some applauded John Mellencamp’s practical nature, while others felt slightly uneasy about the forward-thinking funeral planning. One Twitter user humorously commented, “I thought my parents were blunt, but John Mellencamp is on another level entirely!”
Despite the somewhat jarring nature of the conversation, Teddi made it clear that the topic was handled with love and even laughter between the two. She further clarified that John’s pragmatic discussions don’t reflect health concerns but rather his preference for being ready for anything life—or death—may bring.
John Mellencamp himself has always lived life openly, candidly speaking about everything from politics to personal struggles. Recently, he appeared on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, discussing how his perspective on life’s big questions has changed as he’s grown older. “At a certain age, you realize how precious life is,” he said, emphasizing the importance of making each moment meaningful.
Teddi echoed her father’s sentiment, emphasizing during her podcast that discussing these topics openly has brought their family closer. “We joke about everything,” she explained, “and ultimately, these tough conversations strengthen our bond.”
Although initially unsettling, John’s proactive stance has sparked broader conversations online, with people reflecting on the importance of openness within families when it comes to sensitive subjects. As Teddi humorously concluded, “If anything, at least now I know he’s got it covered—one less thing to worry about!”