Funeral Processions

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Maybe it's because of growing up in a small town.  Maybe it's just that my parents taught me lessons on respect that have stuck with me through the years.  Maybe it's just a courtesy that one should extend.

Whenever there is a funeral procession, whether going in the same direction or opposite direction, I pull over to the side, turn my lights on and wait for them to pass.  It's not only a sign of respect for a family that just lost a loved one, it makes it safer for everyone else on the road as well. 

I have seen two go past my window today and I'm disgusted with the intermingled traffic.  I'm only 35, so it's not like I'm an old codger that grew up with a 50's mentality.

What's everyone else's take on this? 

Do you pull over? 
Do you just not care? 
Have you ever even thought about it?

And go.....

[vicupstate]

I pull over and wait, but I thought 'lights on' was only for the cars in the procession itself. 

I grew up with it too, and always do it.  Is this a Southern thing or more national? 

[fsquid]

Never thought about it.  I juts want to go out with one of the New Orleans celebrations where people dance and sing songs.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I pull over and wait, but I thought 'lights on' was only for the cars in the procession itself. 

I grew up with it too, and always do it.  Is this a Southern thing or more national?

I was always told the lights on thing was just an acknowledgement, kinda, I'm sorry for your loss. 

It may be just a southern thing.... kinda why I'm putting it out there.  I didn't know.

Never thought about it.  I juts want to go out with one of the New Orleans celebrations where people dance and sing songs.

That would be fine, too.  Or like that Puerto Rican kid that was at his own wake - dressed and standing up.

[sandyshoes]

I pull over and stop.  We had a family funeral about  a year ago, in Folkston, then came back to Hilliard for the burial and all along the way people stopped, some got out and stood silently with their hands by their sides, and a fruit stand owner stood up and removed his hat.  It meant a lot to us that complete strangers would still do that.  I have noticed, speaking of southern funeral customs, that people don't bring food to your house in FL like they do in GA...you would not have to cook for days if you were bereaved, (not that you would care much about eating), and it was also to feed everyone who stopped by.  No one in the city does that, either. 

[aubureck]

I always thought everyone pulled over and stopped for funeral processions until I came to Jacksonville.  I spent the majority of my childhood in Pensacola and people always pulled over and stopped.

I still do if I see a funeral procession, its just respectful for the deceased.

[aclchampion]

Remember the funeral procession a few years ago for Captain Scott Speicher? I know that was different but talk about showing respect! I watched that on tv and to see all the cars just stop and people get out and salute or place their hand over their heart was something to see.

[comitas89]

I do it out of respect, but it actually the law (see below):

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=funeral&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.1974.html

[rvrsdediva]

If they're going in the opposite direction I turn my lights on in acknowledgement.  Going the same direction I pull over and wait for them to pass.  During the procession for my great-grandmothers funeral in GA people pulled over, got out of their cars and lined the street.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

It's been my experience in SC that a lot of people do get out of their cars, though, I don't remember us doing it.

We need some northerners to start chiming in.    

It seems so far, everyone here is from the south.

[If_I_Loved_you]

I can remember when my Dad died and we were going to the cemetery. A good Jewish friend of mine that came to the service. Passed us while we were in the funeral procession? She was going home she thought nothing of it. Some people from different religions don't know what the funeral procession etiquette is. http://www.funeralwise.com/learn/procession

[subro]

I am originally from NY and people will move into other lanes to allow funeral processions to pass but most vehicles don’t stop. They will also sit at a green light to allow a procession to finish going through an intersection so that they don’t get broken up. In NY, you see a lot of funeral processions on the highways and you will see the occasional a**hole cutting inbetween procession vehicles to get ahead of traffic.

The thing that most surprised me about the FL funerals that I have been to is that police motorcycles escort the processions of regular citizens and provide rolling roadblocks of intersections to allow the procession to proceed without being interrupted. Only police, fireman and government figures get that treatment in NY.

[If_I_Loved_you]

I am originally from NY and people will move into other lanes to allow funeral processions to pass but most vehicles don’t stop. They will also sit at a green light to allow a procession to finish going through an intersection so that they don’t get broken up. In NY, you see a lot of funeral processions on the highways and you will see the occasional a**hole cutting inbetween procession vehicles to get ahead of traffic.

The thing that most surprised me about the FL funerals that I have been to is that police motorcycles escort the processions of regular citizens and provide rolling roadblocks of intersections to allow the procession to proceed without being interrupted. Only police, fireman and government figures get that treatment in NY.

The motorcycle police escorts like everything else in a funeral costs money.

[ben says]

Never thought about it.  I juts want to go out with one of the New Orleans celebrations where people dance and sing songs.

+100000!!

[RMHoward]

Screw funeral processions. They drive too slow.  I have places to be.  They are dead n rotting anyway, kind of like liberals.

Buck Ofama