They’re not coming here for the funeral, they’re coming here for the politics. This is a working funeral.
– Jim, A Diplomatic Incident

“We do not want to be disrespectful to our hosts,” one European diplomat said. “But will there be opportunities for brush-bys? Absolutely.”

The concept of a “working funeral” as depicted in “Yes, Prime Minister” aligns closely with the real-world diplomatic manoeuvring seen at major state funerals.

In the show, Jim Hacker explains to his wife that attending a state funeral is not merely a solemn occasion but also an opportunity for political discussions and networking.

This mirrors the comments made by a European diplomat regarding Pope Francis’ funeral, where world leaders gathered not only to pay respects but also to engage in informal diplomatic exchanges, known as “brush-bys”—brief, unplanned interactions that can lead to significant discussions.

At Pope Francis’ funeral, President Trump and President Zelensky took advantage of this setting to hold a private meeting, reportedly discussing mineral rights in Ukraine.  They met for a discussion for mineral trade between both countries, before the funeral at the Vatican.

Their conversation, which lasted around 15 minutes, was markedly different from their previous tense encounter in the Oval Office.

The meeting ultimately led to a breakthrough in negotiations, with the U.S. and Ukraine signing a minerals deal shortly afterwards. Trump expressed concerns that Putin might be “tapping” him along, while Zelensky pushed for a tougher stance against Russia.