Funeral processions

[DocMustang]

I recently had the occasion to attend a funeral. As is the custom we formed a procession from the church to the graveside. Hearse in front, and about 1/2 mile of cars with flags up and lights on. Several family members and I were disturbed by how many other drivers passed the procession flying by without even acknowledging us. Most oncoming drivers ignored us as well.

I was always taught to never overtake a funeral procession and if one approached to pull over and turn on my lights as a sign of respect. Has anyone else been taught this? What do you do?

Doc

 

[Nathan Flowers]

Around here, most people will pull off, and out of the way of a funeral procession.


But they won't move for an ambulance or fire truck with lights and sirens flashing.

 

[David V]

I have never heard of that. As a youngster, I was an alter boy and had numerous occasions to participate in funerals. Course I from a very crowded urban area and I don't think what you describe as being practical.

I do know that tradition dictates a driver should not cut into, and should give right of way to a funeral procession.

 

[Paisley]

Maybe the drivers passing couldn't tell is was a funeral procession. I don't think I'd be able to spot a hearse several blocks ahead of me.

 

[Treetopflyer]

I've seen a few things

I have lived in several places in the U.S. and it is different in each one. I am not sure on actual state law but traditionally I think people do give the right of way to a funeral precession, when traveling in the same lane. I never understood why people would pull over and stop when they were traveling in the opposite direction, especially on a four-lane highway. I noticed that when I lived in Florida.

 

[Lone_Ranger]

I was always taught to never overtake a funeral procession and if one approached to pull over and turn on my lights as a sign of respect. Has anyone else been taught this? What do you do?

Doc

Turning on your lights would indicate that you are part of the procession, not merely "showing respect." Though you should also have flashing lights and a flag on the fender.

According to the PA Consolidated Statutes, Title 75 (The PA Vehicle Code)

section § 3107.

Drivers in funeral processions.
(a) General rule.--The driver of a vehicle which is being
driven in a funeral procession may:
(1) Park or stand irrespective of the provisions of this
part.
(2) Proceed past a red signal indication or stop sign if
the lead vehicle in the procession started through the
intersection while the signal indicator was green or, in the
case of a stop sign, the lead vehicle first came to a
complete stop before proceeding through the intersection.
(b) Visual signals required.--The privileges granted by this
section shall apply only if each vehicle in the funeral
procession displays lighted head lamps and emergency flashers
and bears a flag or other insignia designating it as part of a
funeral procession.
(c) Right-of-way to emergency vehicles.--This section does
not relieve the driver of a vehicle which is being driven in a
funeral procession from yielding the right-of-way to an
emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals, nor
from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all
persons.
(Aug. 5, 1991, P.L.238, No.26, eff. imd.; June 26, 2001,
P.L.734, No.75, eff. 60 days)

2001 Amendment. Act 75 amended subsec. (c).
1991 Amendment. Act 26 added section 3107.

 

[ortega76]

I recently had the occasion to attend a funeral. As is the custom we formed a procession from the church to the graveside. Hearse in front, and about 1/2 mile of cars with flags up and lights on. Several family members and I were disturbed by how many other drivers passed the procession flying by without even acknowledging us. Most oncoming drivers ignored us as well.

I was always taught to never overtake a funeral procession and if one approached to pull over and turn on my lights as a sign of respect. Has anyone else been taught this? What do you do?

Doc

Yep, the law varies state to state. Illinois allows passing the procession as long you can pass safely. I often pass, as I have the right to do so and don't feel it's disrespectful.

Funeral processions.

(a) Funeral processions have the right-of-way at intersections when vehicles comprising such procession have their headlights lighted, subject to the following conditions and exceptions:

1. Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right-of-way upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle giving an audible or visible signal; 2. Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right-of-way when directed to do so by a traffic officer; 3. The operator of the leading vehicle in a funeral procession shall comply with stop signs and traffic control signals but when the leading vehicle has proceeded across an intersection in accordance with such signal or after stopping as required by the stop sign, all vehicles in such procession may proceed without stopping, regardless of the sign or signal and the leading vehicle and the vehicles in procession shall proceed with due caution. (b) The operator of a vehicle not in the funeral procession shall not drive his vehicle in the funeral procession except when authorized to do so by a traffic officer or when such vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle giving audible or visible signal.

(c) Operators of vehicles not a part of a funeral procession may not form a procession or convoy and have their headlights lighted for the purpose of securing the right-of-way granted by this Section to funeral processions.

(d) The operator of a vehicle not in a funeral procession may overtake and pass the vehicles in such procession if such overtaking and passing can be accomplished without causing a traffic hazard or interfering with such procession.

(e) The lead vehicle in the funeral procession may be equipped with a flashing amber light which may be used only when such vehicle is used as a lead vehicle in such procession. Vehicles comprising a funeral procession may utilize funeral pennants or flags or windshield stickers or flashing hazard warning signal flashers to identify the individual vehicles in such a procession.

(Source: P.A. 90-58, eff. 1-1-98.)

 

[Foofoogal]

I have yet to see one in Arkansas but different towns in Texas have different unspoken rules I think. Smaller towns everyone no matter what side of the road would pull over and stop for funeral procession. Now in Houston I think think this is practical but it may happen in some parts.
I have seen in a small town when someone loved would have everyone standing on the sides of the road silently. Now that is respect.
The lady was a simple low estate for lack of better word woman but everyone loved her. At the funeral every type of law enforcement (tons) round abouts was there and I never felt so safe in my life as that day in that room.

I would think you would need a policeman at front and back of procession depending how far you have to travel and I believe that is an extra cost so maybe this bears on the procession.

 

[MPicciotto]

With so many cars having "Day-time Running Lights" which in the case of my pickup are the EXACT Same lights as the headlights it's harder to tell a procession. Most processions in this area consist of a hearse, couple of limos and a long line of cars with headlights on and yellow hang tags on their mirrors. It's pretty hard to see the hang tags. If you are coming from a side street to say a 4-way stop and the hearse has passed by it's sometimes near impossible to tell it's a funeral procession. I don't mean to be disrespectful, the last time I was with somebody who accidental cut in because the hearse was a mile in front of us jumped over to the shoulder as soon as we figured out what was going on.

It's my opinion that funeral processions should have right of way over stop signs and red lights. So that the procession stays together. Too often cars in procession stop at a stop sign or slow down at a roundabout and unknowing drivers just jump in thinking it's part of traffic. I feel that funeral procession driving rules should be taught in drivers-ed. The public should be required to yield (including waiting at green lights) and the procession drivers should be able to proceed through intersections without fear of ticket or accident.

Matt

 

[Big Man]

Around here (rural, western NC), on-coming drivers pull to the side of the road and remove their hat till the procession passes. If the procession travels through town, the local town police will have an officer at the intersections to allow the procession to proceed without interruption. Once out of town, the Sheriff's Department will continue with the procession to assist at intersections as needed.

Almost without exception, "locals" will adhere to these unwritten rules. However, "newcomers" usually do not. As the population changes, so many of the old "traditions" disappear. That's not a good or bad statement, just an observation.

 

[Lincsong]

Over in the East San Francisco Bay the funeral homes usually have paid motorcycle escorts who will block an intersection to let the procession pass through red lights. I noticed in Colma that the funeral home in Pacifica has motorcycle escorts, but I hardly see any coming out of the homes in San Francisco. One time I was on Mission St. in Daly City and a funeral procession was coming out of San Francisco and some nut in the procession attempted to block the intersection himself. He almost caused a pile up because no one knew what he was doing.