Edward
Bartender
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- 25,082
- Location
- London, UK
I don't recall ever seeing anyone stop and get out of a car while a funeral procession passed, but it would certainly, in my experience in both Ireland and Britain, be considered polite to allow a funeral procession to pass where necessary - and getting in between any of their cars is a major faux pas (as played for comedic effect in sitcom The Inbetweeners). I would myself trend to remove my hat if I am passed by or pass by a funeral procession, it seems only polite. I expect a lot of folks these days wouldn't think to do that, not out of any malice or even unthinkingness, but more as hat wearing has slipped out of the norm, many of the associated customs have also been lost.
My understanding is that both are fairly standard patterns for those raised in the Roman Catholic tradition - certainly in Ireland.
I don't think I remember anyone pulling over for a funeral procession, but I would certainly doff my hat if I were walking. I have a habit, taken from my mother, to cross myself when seeing a funeral procession. She would also cross herself whenever passing a church.
My understanding is that both are fairly standard patterns for those raised in the Roman Catholic tradition - certainly in Ireland.