have “canned” segments ready for most high profile people - young and old- in case of their death.

person, ready to go as quickly as they can update the particulars of the death.

I just found it in bad taste that MSNBC cut to the canned piece within seconds. Seemed a little mercenary to me.

All pre recorded obituaries

...Aretha's death was impending and I don't think it was at all distasteful on their part to be prepared for it.

Rest in peace, Lady Soul; thanks for the music and the memories...

for all well-known people. I'm sure local newspapers and tv stations also have obits ready for locals who are well known in the community. They are regularly updated, and I believe that task tends to fall to a junior person. But woe betide that person if they don't do it right. One of the very worst things that can happen is that some prominent (even just a locally prominent) person to die and they have nothing ready.

You will probably be very disturbed to learn that the BBC holds regular drills about how they will announce the passing of Queen Elizabeth, when that sad day finally arrives.