Funeral procession. Giving respect to the deceased. Are you aware?

Yes, pulling over to the side of the road is a common sign of respect for the deceased as well as the deceased's friends and family. Funeral processions date back hundreds of years before automobiles were invented. At one point, when most communities were small places where most people knew each other, mourners commonly walked behind the horse-drawn hearse or casket bearers to the community cemetery where burial services would obviously held. That tradition simply continued and is now used as a means of safely getting any mourners who wish to attend burial services to the cemetery at the same time.

It is important to know that funeral processions are optional. They are not necessary or required by any law or religion. That means, when you see a funeral procession, the deceased's family requested the procession. The fact that the vast majority of traditional funerals include the REQUEST of a procession to the cemetery means that most people still feel a funeral procession is the simplest and safest method of transporting mourners from the funeral home or church to the cemetery.

So, to those who don't want a funeral procession. Don't have one and until your funeral is scheduled, have a little respect and pull over for a few minutes. That is all the time it takes. On average motorists are stopped far longer by trains and emergency vehicles than the time they spend stopped by funeral processions.

Respect - sure. Common Sense - absolutely. The law - sometimes, depending on the state and municipality. Make no mistake - if there is a police escort with their lights on, oncoming traffic must pull over, just like any other situation. As someone who leads funeral processions, I often times will see drivers ignore the police lights and they don't take too kindly to that. It is very much appreciated when traffic pulls over. Trying to keep 50 or so cars together and safe is difficult. Anything that makes that process a bit more safe is fantastic.

People are just plain ignorant. There is no law in any state stating you must pull over and stop for a funeral procession. This is not only stupid, but dangerous and has caused many accidents.

This has nothing to do with respect.

actually, i don't think it's a actual law. i live in small town middle TN and it's something we always do to show respect to the dead and their families. i can see where it would be an issue in a large city though. i pulled over for a funeral with my husband in the car one day and he was floored as to what i was doing. he's from LA and they don't do that kind of stuff there.

It is a matter of respect...yes. However, my state nor any others I'm aware of have a law requiring the practice!

Within my jurisdiction we provide an escort at no cost to insure the procession clears traffic quickly and safely!

Haha! Wow. I was drinking water when I was reading this and I swear water almost came out my nose! That was freaking hilariously wicked! Phew! I think I'm gonna be fine. xD Hold on, I need to wipe some water off the computer screen. Hey, at least I didn't pee myself. :P

in my town it is a municipal law that you are required to pull over when you meet a funeral procession. Not sure if it is a state law or not (MO)

Of course I know. AND if I see anyone disrupt a funeral procession, I give TICKETS for it as well. Its a matter of respect.

Yes, I am aware of this. Around here it is commonplace to do so. I imagine it is less common in big cities with a lot of traffic.

I thought that was common knowledge.