What is the point of a funeral procession? The procession is an opportunity to accompany the body to its final resting place as one last tribute for the one who has passed. It's a beautiful way to honor and celebrate the life of a loved one.
What to do if you encounter a funeral procession?
Nov 15, 2021 · A funeral procession is a tradition in which the family and close friends of someone who has died, along with other mourners, follow behind their coffin as it travels towards its final resting place. This is seen as a sign of respect, and allows other cars the opportunity to join or catch up to the procession.
Is it rude to pass a funeral procession?
What is the point of a funeral procession? The procession is an opportunity to accompany the body to its final resting place as one last tribute for the one who has passed. It's a beautiful way to honor and celebrate the life of a loved one. Click to see full answer. Similarly one may ask, why do people have funeral processions?
Do you stop for a funeral procession?
May 25, 2018 · The procession involves traveling with the remains to a final destination. In older times, people used to walk alongside the hearse on foot. This allows other members of the community to pay their respects and say their goodbyes. Today, most processions involve vehicles moving at regular speeds so that community aspect of a procession has faded away.
What is proper funeral procession etiquette?
The funeral procession usually takes place after the memorial service. It consists of a select group of people usually driving, but sometimes walking, from the service to the burial site, usually headed by a hearse carrying the coffin.
Is it rude to pass a funeral procession?
Drivers traveling in the same direction as a funeral procession should never pass or attempt to pass unless the highway has two or more lanes going in that direction. When on a highway, never pass a funeral procession from the right side unless it is traveling in the far left lane.Jul 20, 2021
What does procession mean at a funeral?
A procession is in reference to the transportation of the deceased from the memorial site to the burial site. A couple hundred years ago, when there were no cars, the pallbearers would carry the casket from this service location to the site, however now that there are cars, the body is transported by a hearse.Nov 8, 2017
Why do Southerners pull over for a funeral procession?
When you see a line of cars outfitted with funeral flags or following a hearse, simply pull over. Not only is it safer for everyone on the road, but it's the polite thing to do and an easy way to show respect for a grieving family.
What do you do when a funeral procession passes?
If You Encounter a Funeral ProcessionYield the right of way. Just as you would defer to an emergency vehicle, you should do the same for a funeral procession. ... Be respectful. ... Pull over and allow the procession to go by. ... Never cut in or tag along. ... Watch for the last vehicle in the procession.Jul 20, 2021
When did funeral procession begin?
In the 1930s and '40s, they started carrying them in limousines. They even had some hearses that had places for family to ride inside the hearse with the body. And we've seen some of those come out again in the last few years.Feb 24, 2016
Why do funeral cars go slow UK?
Firstly, why do funeral corteges drive so slow? According to Matthew Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc, the slow speed is in place for two reasons. Firstly, it emulates the slow, sombre march of traditional funeral processions. Secondly, it prevents other drivers on the road from separating the group.Aug 14, 2021
Was Princess Diana funeral a state funeral?
The event was not a state funeral; instead, it was a royal ceremonial funeral that included royal pageantry and Anglican funeral liturgy. A large display of flowers was installed at the gates of Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace.
Do you have to stop for a funeral procession in Texas?
Unfortunately, there's NO LAW in Texas governing the passing or encountering a funeral procession on the roadway. If a funeral procession is without police escort, they are at the mercy of the motorists.Mar 2, 2021
What is the difference between a state funeral and a royal funeral?
Ceremonial royal funerals are often held for the heir to the throne and for members of the Royal Family who hold high military rank. A ceremonial funeral, like a state funeral, often has a lying in state, a procession with a gun carriage and military contingents.
Why do you walk behind a coffin?
What is a funeral procession? A funeral procession is a tradition in which the family and close friends of someone who has died, along with other mourners, follow behind their coffin as it travels towards its final resting place.
Do funeral cars take you home?
Does the limousine(s) take you home or to the wake after the funeral? Yes, the limousine(s) will take you to the funeral and then onto wherever you wish to go, within the local area.
Who leads funeral procession?
The officiantThe officiant will usually lead the procession and pallbearers carrying the coffin tend to follow. Immediate family and close friends will often walk behind the coffin, followed by other guests.
Why is the funeral procession important?
That’s because the United States traffic authorities recognize the importance of keeping the funeral procession together . It’s also a sign of respect from the other vehicles. A funeral procession always has the right-of-way on United States roads.
Why are funeral processions accompanied by police cars?
Sometimes, the processions are accompanied by police cars to ensure that no other drivers interrupt the procession’s journey. Funeral processions have been around for millennia. They began back in Ancient Egypt, where the mummified body of a person would be placed on a sledge and be pulled by either men or oxen.
What is the funeral procession?
The funeral procession usually takes place after the memorial service. It consists of a select group of people usually driving, but sometimes walking, from the service to the burial site, usually headed by a hearse carrying the coffin. Sometimes, the processions are accompanied by police cars to ensure that no other drivers interrupt ...
What happens after a funeral?
After the Funeral. The funeral will take place between the procession orientation and the procession itself. Once it comes time for the funeral procession, get into your car and wait for the procession to start. Do not try to cut the line.
What is the processional at a funeral?
Though logistics vary from funeral to funeral (and religion to religion), many processions consist of an escorting vehicle at the head. This may be either a funeral home vehicle or a police car. Behind it is the hearse at the head, followed by limousines filled with the closest family members. Behind them, the other guests drive, often followed by ...
Why is it harder for a car to get cut off from the procession?
There are two reasons. The first is one of sheer practicality. It’s harder for a car to get cut off from the procession if everyone moves at a slower pace. The second is meant to mimic the somberness old processions held, back when more people walked on foot. The third is a safety precaution.
What does it mean to be saddened by the death of a friend?
You’re saddened by the death of your friend, loved one, or acquaintance, and you want to honor their life in a way that commemorates who they were and comforts the family. Yet, unless you’ve been to a lot of funerals, you might be a little nervous you’ll make an uncomfortable faux pas.
What is the funeral procession?
The funeral procession is a meaningful procedure, as it is the deceased's journey to their final resting place. Processions can be sad, somber, emotional or festive celebrations—ensure you understand what the mood of the procession will be so you can act appropriately. No matter your role, always remain respectful when in the presence of a funeral procession.
What to do if you encounter a funeral procession while driving?
If you encounter a funeral procession while driving, never pass or rush the drivers. Do not cut in between vehicles, and yield to the procession, as they have the right of way. It is also expected that vehicles not involved in the funeral service not join the procession.
What is the name of the vehicle that transports the body of a deceased person?
A hearse, transporting the body of the deceased person, usually heads the procession. Immediate family members of the deceased might travel together in a limousine or town car. Guests will follow in their vehicles.
What is the atmosphere of a funeral procession?
Some funeral processions are somber events, while others are treated like a celebration to honor the life of the loved on who has passed.
What is followed by the hearse at a funeral?
Often, there is a lead vehicle (whether a funeral home vehicle, police car or motorcycle escort) followed by the hearse. A car carrying the deceased’s immediate family members will follow the hearse, which itself is followed by the rest of the cortege. Lead car. Hearse (with the casket) Immediate family. Other family.
Do funeral procession lights have to be flashing?
Funeral Procession Lights. Depending on the state, there may be laws concerning whether the lead vehicle in a funeral procession should have lights flashing. Generally, all vehicles in the funeral procession should have their hazard lights on to distinguish themselves from other traffic.
Who leads the hearse at a funeral?
In some smaller provinces, or in the case that the cemetery is on the grounds of the funeral home (or very nearby), the funeral director may actually lead the hearse on foot.
Do funerals have right of way?
vary from state to state. For example, in Texas, there are no laws regarding funeral processions, although they traditionally have right-of-way at intersections . In Florida however, vehicles and pedestrians must yield right-of-way to funeral processions (unless they are emergency vehicles).
Ceremonial Journey
Significance
- The atmosphere of a funeral procession can vary depending on the wishes of the deceased, the family and cultural traditions. Some funeral processions are somber events, while others are treated like a celebration to honor the life of the loved on who has passed. Funeral processions are a useful way to keep friends and family members of the deceased together on the day of th…
Protocol
- A hearse, transporting the body of the deceased person, usually heads the procession. Immediate family members of the deceased might travel together in a limousine or town car. Guests will follow in their vehicles. Drivers are expected to keep their headlights and hazard signals on, and slowly and closely follow other vehicles in the procession for the entire journey. A horse-drawn c…
Driving in A Funeral Procession
- If you find yourself driving in a funeral procession, here are some things that you should remember and respect: 1. Drive slowly so as not to rush the procession. 2. Funeral processions have the right of way in most states—never break the funeral procession line, even if it means going through a red light. 3. Always yield to emergency vehicles and personnel, and exercise cau…
Sharing The Road with A Funeral Procession
- If you encounter a funeral procession while driving, never pass or rush the drivers. Do not cut in between vehicles, and yield to the procession, as they have the right of way. It is also expected that vehicles not involved in the funeral service not join the procession. ZALTBOMMEL, THE NETHERLANDS - 24 JULY 2014. A procession of hearses crosses the Martinus Nijhoff bridge o…
A Final Thought
- Whether you are part of a funeral procession or you are simply sharing the road with one, remember that every state has their own laws that need to be obeyed. The funeral procession is a meaningful procedure, as it is the deceased's journey to their final resting place. Processions can be sad, somber, emotional or festive celebrations—ensure you understand what the mood of th…