On Overview of Funeral Procession Driving

Funeral processions these days typically involve lots of vehicles, since that is the main way people get around rural, suburban and urban areas. When you attend a funeral, you’re most likely going to encounter a staff member from the funeral home who is directing you where and how to park your vehicle. He or she will make hand motions showing you where to go, and/or audibly tell you… and usually the parking strategy involves lining up vehicles in rows, typically with vehicles being bumper to bumper. If you’re not planning on driving in the procession, the attendant will direct you to park elsewhere.

Funeral processions usually drive slower than traffic. So, even if it’s a road where 55 is the norm, expect to go about 30 MPH. Remember, all the vehicles in line need to keep up with each other, so the lead vehicle doesn’t want to go too fast and end up losing the end vehicles. It’s not unusual for a police escort, such that there’s a sense of order to the procession, with some allowances made (such as going through a red light) that drivers otherwise wouldn’t normally do.
How Funeral Procession Flags Can Help

A funeral procession line isn’t made for any vehicles to “cut in.” You want to keep close to the vehicle in front of you at all times and have your headlights turned on. Oftentimes, funeral staffers place little funeral flags on vehicles involved in the procession. Johnstown Hearse Rental & Funeral Supplies sells these flags here. That way vehicles are easily identified as being part of the procession, standing out from other vehicles on the road. These orange funeral flags are magnetic, and placed on the hood on the driver’s side.

The “lead car,” usually a black sedan, will have two white funeral flags on the hood and flashing hazard lights on, signifying the start of the procession, followed by the hearse, family limos and other vehicles. Typically, the last vehicle in a funeral procession will have 2 funeral flags on it, as well as flashing hazard lights– this is to signify to other motorists that the procession has ended and normal traffic flow should resume.

After arriving at the cemetery, you’re likely going to find a cemetery attendant directing you toward to gravesite or chapel. Meanwhile, once the procession ends, the funeral attendant will go around and collect the flags from vehicles.

Note: vehicles usually end up in a procession in the order which they arrived at the funeral home, so if you want to be “up front,” get to the funeral home “early, before others.”