Funeral Processions

This article will look at the funeral procession by reviewing the purpose, the order of cars, the issue of police escorts, important things to remember when driving in a procession and basic etiquette when observing a procession. 

The main purpose of a procession is to have those attending a funeral to travel together from the place of the funeral to the cemetery. But also, it is a way to include the community in acknowledging that a death has occurred, which is why funeral processions in St. Marys will, most of the time, drive down the main street.

Funeral processions only occur when a burial is taking place immediately after a funeral, regardless if it is a casket or urn being buried. When arriving at the location of the funeral, funeral home staff will assist in lining up cars in the appropriate position in the procession. The funeral home lead car will be the first. Most funeral homes will have a purple light on the lead car. Purple, being one of the traditional colours associated with death, was adopted by funeral homes. (A quick review of flashing light colours: red = emergency, yellow = caution, blue = snow removal, green = volunteer fire fighter and white = school bus). Following the lead car is the funeral coach for funerals involving casket burial. Immediate family, pall bearers and friends will line their cars up behind the lead and coach. Sometimes, families request a certain order for cars, based on family members and / or pall bearers. Those who do not wish to go to the cemetery will most likely be asked to park in a separate location.

For those who will be traveling in procession, some funeral homes will provide funeral flags that attach to cars. These flags come in different forms: flat flags that fit in the opening around the hood, magnetic flags and flags that attach to the car door window. Whether or not the funeral home distributes funeral flags, I strongly recommend that those driving also turn on their four-way hazard lights to further caution oncoming cars of who is in the procession.

With regards to police escorts, some cities, such as Stratford, for example, will send one police car to lead the procession. Presently the Stratford police will do this free of charge, but only if there is an officer available.  Hired police escorts are more common in big cities. When I left Toronto in 2003, the going rate for a police escort was approximately $900. This price included three off-duty police officers, three vehicles (which were usually motorcycles) and applicable tax. The basic rotation of escorts was one at the lead, one in the back and one somewhere in the middle. When approaching an intersection, the first escort would stop and restrain traffic to allow the procession through, while the second escort would then take the lead. The important thing to understand about police escorts in Toronto is that three police officers are the minimum that can be hired, and that those three only covers the first 30 cars in the procession. These rules are in place for the officers' safety.   

The OPP will no longer provide procession assistance due to liability concerns. But honestly, as impressive as it is to have police present, I believe they are not necessary; and I would go so far as to say they can give people a false sense of security. The only car accident that took place at the funeral home company I worked for in Toronto was one that had a police escort. Funeral processions rely on the kindness of the other drivers on the road. The main thing to understand is that other drivers may not be paying attention.

Flashing lights, funeral flags and an experienced funeral director driving the lead car are only fool-proof if everyone on the road is paying attention. Because we cannot rely on that 100 per cent of time, those driving in a procession need to understand some important facts. Funeral processions are not above the Highway Traffic Act. We must adhere to the rules of the road. Keep a comfortable distance between your car and the car ahead based on the speed of the procession; if traveling on a highway, drive with more space to allow for possible sudden stops. If you are in a procession, know the route to the cemetery. The funeral home may have procession route maps available, but if not, and especially if you are not familiar with the area, ask for the directions of the procession (but please ask the funeral home staff well in advance and not just as you are making your way to your car). That way, if you lose the car ahead of you due to a traffic light, for example, you will still know the way to go.

For those witnessing a funeral procession, my opinion is that most people in St. Marys already know basic etiquette. I have always been impressed with how many oncoming drivers pull over, allow processions through intersections and even people on the sidewalk pause and take off their hats. For safety concerns, when on the highway, I would suggest not pulling over.