How many times have you stumbled across a funeral procession after funeral homes Evanston, IL? And what to do if you come across one, should you wait and let it pass or should you just cross it?

For most people, these questions are often left unanswered as funeral-related topics are rarely discussed among peers. Because of this, we are going to present some useful information about the funeral procession, its history, and more.

Let’s dive in!

What is a Funeral Procession?

A funeral procession is a line of cars that mourners drive from a funeral home or place of worship to the cemetery or crematorium. It serves two major purposes.

First, the body needs to be moved to the burial site or crematorium. Also, it gives the family and friends one last opportunity to accompany the deceased on their final journey. The procession will carry the deceased in the funeral coach, also known as the hearse. For most cultures and traditions, a funeral procession is both symbolic and a logistical necessity.

The procession can be on foot, but if the burial place is far from the funeral home, then a motorized convoy becomes necessary. Today, the concept of making a procession by foot is hardly practical.

What is the Procedure for a Funeral Procession?

The funeral director typically explains the whole procedure to the mourners who wish to attend it. If you plan to be a part of a vehicle convoy behind the hearse, you may be asked to park your car in a certain area before the service.

Once the funeral service is finished, the cars taking part in the procession file out of the car parking. They are arranged bumper to bumper behind the hearse. The speed of the hearse is usually around 50 kilometers an hour.

A funeral procession can also be led by the minister, the police, or any other honor team. The first car in the procession, which may be the hearse or a dedicated lead car, will have its lights on. Mostly, this car also displays the white funeral flag out of respect as well as for the safety of other passengers on the road. This will often be the case with the last car as well, to signal that the procession is over.

Family and closest friends of the deceased generally follow directly behind the hearse in the procession and they are then followed by other mourners.

Safety First in a Funeral Procession

It is customary not to interrupt the funeral procession out of respect for the deceased and the mourners. The best thing to do is to wait patiently for the procession to pass. Don’t try to cross the hearse as it can land you in an accident, aside from being deemed callous.

If you’re still confused about what to do, then adhere to the road rules. Once the procession arrives at the cemetery, the cars start exiting the procession and leave the hearse to park closest to the burial plot. The mourners then join the rest of the group at the graveside for the final burial after the service at funeral homes Evanston, IL. Reach out to us for immediate need.