Funeral Processions

[sandyshoes]

Nice, Opie.  Real nice.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

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

Buck Ofama

That's cool.  I hope y--r mom died a slow painful, cancerous death.  I also hoped that at least one of us mourned for her.  Yeah, asshole-ish statement.  BTW,  that was me pulled over with my lights on.  GFY.  Cheers!

[BackinJax05]

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.....

I never gave it much thought, other than waiting for the procession to pass. Its tricky if its a long procession, sometimes. Most only have 2 cops* and they're up at the front stopping traffic. A longer procession is difficult, especially for those several cars back. If a light changes and there's no one to stop traffic, cross traffic will ALWAYS try to go.

*most escorts are provided by River City Escorts, a private company comprised of retired police officers.

[Adam W]

I would usually pull to the side to let them pass. I don't do anything if they're in the other lane or driving in the opposite direction.

[Timkin]

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

Buck Ofama

Well be on your way then, Mr. I have places to be.  If I happen to see your funeral procession coming along, I ll still show the same respect, not that you necessarily would deserve it.   

Damn.. how bitter with the world can one person be?

[Overstreet]

It's not the dead guy that needs your compassion it's the living. That is a tough time. I know cause Ive lost wives and relatives.  Give 'em a little consideration move to the side and let them have an uneventful procession.

Speaking of uneventful, you will remember 15 or so years ago the motor cycle officer Shindler, I think,  was killed when he was moving up the procession to the next intersection. A distraught teen driver suddenly pulled out of the procession cause she was too upset to drive and pulled into his lane.  Give way you don't know what to expect.

[WmNussbaum]

Required reading on this subject is "Being Dead Is No Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies Guide To Hosting the Perfect Funeral" It is a very funny book about a serious topic, and it is also a decent cookbook for "official" funeral foods and their preparation.

I promise you a chortle or two and maybe even a guffaw if you read it.

[fsujax]

i was raised here in Jax, and I was taught you pull over and stop. I still do. Most people dont even pull over and stop for emergency vehicles these days.

[officerk]

I grew up in the South but always in the City (all over the South and other parts of the Country too - I'm a Navy Brat)... this was a custom that I was not familiar with until I moved to the Country.. We always moved out of the way of the procession, slowed down and allowed them to stay together.  I had seen plenty of procession go through lights with police escorts and such but until moving out to the country I had never seen everyone stop and pull over. It is a nice custom and it is respect for both the deceased and the family morning them..

[Springfielder]

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

Buck Ofama

Well, are you just the ray of sunshine, what an overall lovely view of the world around you, must be a joy to have around. 

I just feel it's a matter of respect and common decency, that when traveling in the same direction, you pull over and allow them to pass. If it's in the other direction, it depends upon the street as to whether or not I pull over. If it's a divided, multi-lane, then I continue moving, if it's not, then I pull over and wait.

[wsansewjs]

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.....

I never gave it much thought, other than waiting for the procession to pass. Its tricky if its a long procession, sometimes. Most only have 2 cops* and they're up at the front stopping traffic. A longer procession is difficult, especially for those several cars back. If a light changes and there's no one to stop traffic, cross traffic will ALWAYS try to go.

*most escorts are provided by River City Escorts, a private company comprised of retired police officers.

I am just curious... Does the "retired" police officers have the legal jurisdiction to stop / direct traffic during a funeral procession?

-Josh

[Elwood]

I grew up in Ohio, and most of my family still resides there. The same "courtesies" were always observed for any processions I observed or were a part of (pulling to the side, lights on). As was mentioned, many states, including Florida, have laws on the books that require these "courtesies". Personally, I think it's the very least someone can do to show a bit of respect and humanity for those who have lost a loved one.

[BackinJax05]

I am just curious... Does the "retired" police officers have the legal jurisdiction to stop / direct traffic during a funeral procession?

-Josh

I dont know, but those RCME guys sure think they do.