What do you do see a funeral procession while driving?
 

I was taught to pull over, turn on the headlights and let them pass, no matter what direction, as a sign of respect. I realize this may be difficult or impossible in some places. Maybe it's a small town southern thing.

What made me think about it was, as I drove on an interstate, I came up on one going 50 mph. The speed limit was 65 mph. It wasn't practical to stay behind, as who knows how far they were going.

What are your thoughts?

Never even heard such a thing, or ever once seen it done.

I hate funeral processions.

I used to work down the road from a couple of big cemeteries. It was very common to run into a procession going to/from lunch. They always had police escorts. Normally, the cops would kamikaze the oncoming lane and point for everyone to stop on the side of the road. That's what I was taught, allow them to pass, pull over and stop, never join in the middle of a procession or cross one. I was once however on a 4 lane state highway going the same direction as a procession. I stayed behind until they started to get off. Some folks passed them in an open lane. I wasn't sure what to do then myself. I figured staying behind was the safe bet.

I was taught to pull over and let it pass. Never, ever cut into the procession and if you do by mistake, pull over and get out of the line, just a sign of respect IMO.

Why? The processions guest of honor is in no hurry. I gotta get to work!

Going the opposite direction? Nothing.

Going the same direction? I stay respectfully behind the procession so that it can travel intact.

The laws in most states state that the first car in the procession must obey all traffic laws, and the cars following must follow the lead car. So if a light turns red in the middle of a procession, the following cars can go through the light. I will wait patiently for the procession to pass. The last thing a grieving family wants is some jerk in a hurry.

I was just taught to treat them with respect... on a 4 lane highway I wouldn't think twice of passing them at a respectful speed/distance, but in a town I pull over or wait through a traffic light cycle to let them pass.

I came across a similar situation while on my motorcycle a few years ago. Funeral procession, led by police escort, was doing about 50 mph in the #3 lane on the highway. Speed limit was 65, so I slowly passed them by at around 60 mph in the #1 lane (I have a loud bike).

I turn on my lights lights and cut in. This allows me to run red lights.

The group I passed was in the middle lane of a 3 lane hwy each way. No police escort. They were headed out of town, as I was. I just slowly passed them in the inside lane.

Pull up along side like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31hzNscPc8Q

I pull over and piss of the people behind me as I do this... but I respect the dead and those in mourning.

In either direction: stop, wait until it passes, and then proceed. It's simple, respectful, and lets all start respecting the dead, nuff said?

I remember when my grandparents passed away and while on the way to the cemetary, it meant a lot that people pulled over and may or may not have known either of my grandparents. Most likely though, as it was a SMALL town in AL and 30 years ago.

It depends on the road layout but if practical and safe to do so, I will stop until they pass.

If not, I will at least slow down as I pass.I was taught it was a show of respect.

We just had a funeral in the family this weekend so this is a timely subject.:(

take my hat off if i'm wearing one. goofy i guess.

I lived in the deep South for a short period and things are different there, especially in small towns. Once, a funeral procession was driving by a job I was on and all th work stopped for a moment. It certainly became apparent to me that starting a Skillsaw at that moment would have earned me a lot of disrespect.

It's pretty hard in CA metropolitan areas to totally yield to a procession unless the funeral cops are blocking an intersection. The procession stays to the right and people go on about their business unless it's a 2-lane street.

Remember that I will taking that horizontal ride someday. For most people, its closer than they want to think about.

You hit the nail on the head.
A lot of people may never understand that feeling, maybe it is something we are taught down here, but when you're in a car in uncomfortable clothes, grieving your heart out, there is something very touching and comforting in seeing the respectful people pull over and wait until we pass by.
There's a special place in heaven for those compassionate enough to do this.

I moved to Mustang, OK from Nashua, NH in 1998. The first time I came across a funeral procession (coming the other way) I had to swerve around the first guy in front of me and darn near rear-ended the second guy. Then I figured it out. I pay more attention now...

That's what i do. Go on about my business, paying the procession virtually no heed at all (beyond typical safety concerns).

If i can pass them safely, i do.

I was golfing one day and a funeral procession drove past. My golf buddy paused mid-swing, bowed his head and removed his hat. I said "That's the nicest thing I've ever seen you do... (he is a real arsehole)...did you know that person?".

"Yep" he said. "We would've been married 35 years this week..."

That remark shows what you are.

The law here says you must yield to a funeral procession and that the cars can run red lights, etc. HOWEVER, it also says all cars must be marked with a "funeral" sign/flag and must have their headlights on.

Well, one day I made the mistake of going through the middle of a procession when my light turned green. The um...err...fine upstanding citizens (with 22's and gold teef) DIDN'T have their lights on nor did they have "funeral" markings. How was I supposed to know they were part of the procession and not some retards running the red light (which is epidemic here).

Well, two of the umm...err..."gentlemen" decide to pull over and confront me at the next red light. In so many words, I asked if they would like to attend their own funeral today. They got back in their car and joined the procession.

Silly rabbits. :rolleyes:

lolo, this did pop into my head :)

Never was taught what to do ... so, I've passed/followed according to road and locality conditions.


Interesting to note that some Japanese people have said that they hide their thumbs (sort of like a fist made the wrong way).

WTF, over?

Honestly, if anything, your remark shows what you are.

That remark shows what you are.

That remark shows what you are.

i LOOK FOR LUGGAGE RACKS ON HEARSES!