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 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?
Never thought about it. I juts want to go out with one of the New Orleans celebrations where people dance and sing songs.
Quote from: vicupstate on July 12, 2012, 12:20:53 PM
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.
Quote from: fsquid on July 12, 2012, 12:21:18 PM
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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. :D
It seems so far, everyone here is from the south.
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
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.
Quote from: subro on July 12, 2012, 03:43:47 PM
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.
Quote from: fsquid on July 12, 2012, 12:21:18 PM
Never thought about it. I juts want to go out with one of the New Orleans celebrations where people dance and sing songs.
+100000!!
Screw funeral processions. They drive too slow. I have places to be. They are dead n rotting anyway, kind of like liberals.
Buck Ofama
Nice, Opie. Real nice.
Quote from: RMHoward on July 12, 2012, 05:57:47 PM
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!
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on July 12, 2012, 12:13:06 PM
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 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.
Quote from: RMHoward on July 12, 2012, 05:57:47 PM
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?
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.
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.
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.
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..
Quote from: RMHowardScrew 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.
Quote from: BackinJax05 on July 13, 2012, 12:20:00 AM
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on July 12, 2012, 12:13:06 PM
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
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.
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.