I'll catch shit for saying it...
but I can't help but think that most of these people were just using their time on this funeral variety show as some free publicity. Entertainers, singers, preachers, etc. They know that a large amount of people are going to be watching and this is a way to get some press, especially since this thing was going to be staged to pull at everyone's heart strings. Record sales will go up for performing artists. Donations will increase for preachers.
From the response on this board alone, I see quite a few people who fell for the stage show.