Funeral Convoy: What to do?

[mototrek]

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I haven't seen one of these since I got back but encountered two today. Cops hold up traffic but don't seem to mind people getting into the convoy.

What is the law? Basically do what the LEO instructs you to do? Or can you just follow normal laws and pass it?

My dad died in 1968. Of course, like many of his generation, he served in the military and retired as a high ranking officer. He had a military escort as well as a police escort on the way to the burial in Mount Royal. Along Cote de Neiges, I noticed workers removed their hats and stopped working as we passed by. Times have changed, but it made a real impact on me. They were strangers, yet sensitive to the process. So, I learned from them - I pull over, stop and remove my helmet until the precession has passed. (I know that the strangers in the cars appreciate it.)

 

[Kool]

I knew there were still some cool dudes among us ^^^ . The me me generation will never get it.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

I think you misunderstood me, and apart from that you're not making sense, plus I don't think the distinction of who's being respected (the living or dead) matters.

Let's try again...

Funeral processions serve no purpose that I can see. Until I am shown otherwise, I have to conclude they are there for show, so mourners can feel important and special at the expense of other traffic. With that in mind, isn't it fair to be frustrated by funeral processions? Or am I expected to give some special dispensation for lack of courtesy because they are mourning?

I don't think that I misunderstood you. I think it's more that I simply cannot understand you, nor anyone else who can't see that some things simply serve to help make society better. I never will understand you, so it's pointless for you to try and make me see a viewpoint that is so fundamentally foreign to my nature.

 

[nobbie48]

A stat from my insurance agent. People are more prone to accidents for a year or so after the death of a loved one. (Distracted thoughts)

 

[matt123]

Often people in funeral processions are very emotional and I've seen a few bordering on impaired as a result.Personally I prefer having the deceased's family members in a controlled procession rather then adding the confusion of them trying to find the cemetery in time on their own to complete the funeral service ,especially in a city the size of Toronto.Toronto can cause any out of town driver who is not used to it to have a nervous break down all on it's own.I would even go as far as to say it may be safer of everyone on the road in some instances to have a procession.
Think about what a wreck you would be if your wife,significant other, sibling or child were to die.Then think about how F@#$% up you would be 5 minutes after they close the casket while trying to find the cemetery in time to bury them especially if you have never been there before.It's something you only get one chance at.Sooner or later we will all be put into that state and it's not a good place to be so respect it for what it is a tragedy.

 

[RandomHero]

I don't think that I misunderstood you. I think it's more that I simply cannot understand you, nor anyone else who can't see that some things simply serve to help make society better. I never will understand you, so it's pointless for you to try and make me see a viewpoint that is so fundamentally foreign to my nature.

You're right funeral processions make society better, how could we all be so blind! Excuse us for expecting that if people wish to hold them that they go about it the proper way. No everyone must bend to their will because they're mourning. Nevermind that it has the potential to cause havoc in the areas they are passin through.

It's sad that people went as far as to compare them to emergency services........... And the whole me me generation thing is pathetic. It's already been discussed on this board and there is a me first generation, it's just not the age group you guys think it is.

For the love of god though can people stop making this about time lost. That has never been the main concern about these things. I stop for them whenever I can, but when you got people halfway blocking intersections sounding off their horns it causes nothing but chaos.

One thing I would like answered though. What is more arrogant, expecting to be able to go on with your day undisturbed, or expecting half a city one block at a time so they can parade around?

 

[jc100]

I don't think that I misunderstood you. I think it's more that I simply cannot understand you, nor anyone else who can't see that some things simply serve to help make society better. I never will understand you, so it's pointless for you to try and make me see a viewpoint that is so fundamentally foreign to my nature.

You're not alone. Words fail me sometimes when I come across the attitudes that some have shown here. A society is judged by how we treat the less fortunate among us.

 

[RandomHero]

You're not alone. Words fail me sometimes when I come across the attitudes that some have shown here. A society is judged by how we treat the less fortunate among us.

You're such a saint.

 

[revrandy]

As one who has been part of many funeral processions, including 2 this past month, I want to chime in.

Funeral processions do serve a purpose, they serve as a reminder to the family how much the deceased mattered. Being at the memorial service is one thing, being there when the person is returned to the earth is a more powerful statement. As a minister the committal is far harder than the service, the sense of finality really gets to people.

Almost funeral director I know will tell people to respect traffic laws (stop signs, lights etc.) and will provide people with a map to the cemetary/graveyard. Riding in the lead car it always makes me nervous that someone in the line would do something stupid and cause an accident. Where I can I let people know that they need not worry, I will wait for them.

Sadly we are in a soceity short on respect. I am not saying we need to have the world stop so a funeral can go by, but the impact on the family when people do stop and allow the procession through means more than most can imagine.

Personally I don't care if you stop for the procession or not, nor if you feel the need to run lights etc. to get to the cemetary/graveyard as I will always be there before you (the joys of riding in the lead car). But whatever you choose to do, please be respectful to those mourning. Just remember some day it will be you riding in a car as you head off to the cemetary/graveyard to bury a family member. You may not think it now, but you will remember the respect people demonstrated to you in your time of grief.

 

[Kool]

You're not alone. Words fail me sometimes when I come across the attitudes that some have shown here. A society is judged by how we treat the less fortunate among us.

You couldn't be any more less fortunate.... than dead.
I think you've been treated fairly well.

 

[fastar1]

You're not alone. Words fail me sometimes when I come across the attitudes that some have shown here. A society is judged by how we treat the less fortunate among us.

NO ONE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE! The problem is with the procession.

I have sympathy for them, but that's not a license to take over the roads. Nor would it excuse them for littering, or butting in line, or standing in a doorway, or pissing in public, or any of the thousands of other things people avoid doing to maintain a civil society.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

As one who has been part of many funeral processions, including 2 this past month, I want to chime in.

Funeral processions do serve a purpose, they serve as a reminder to the family how much the deceased mattered. Being at the memorial service is one thing, being there when the person is returned to the earth is a more powerful statement. As a minister the committal is far harder than the service, the sense of finality really gets to people.

Almost funeral director I know will tell people to respect traffic laws (stop signs, lights etc.) and will provide people with a map to the cemetary/graveyard. Riding in the lead car it always makes me nervous that someone in the line would do something stupid and cause an accident. Where I can I let people know that they need not worry, I will wait for them.

Sadly we are in a soceity short on respect. I am not saying we need to have the world stop so a funeral can go by, but the impact on the family when people do stop and allow the procession through means more than most can imagine.

Personally I don't care if you stop for the procession or not, nor if you feel the need to run lights etc. to get to the cemetary/graveyard as I will always be there before you (the joys of riding in the lead car). But whatever you choose to do, please be respectful to those mourning. Just remember some day it will be you riding in a car as you head off to the cemetary/graveyard to bury a family member. You may not think it now, but you will remember the respect people demonstrated to you in your time of grief.

Thank you.

 

[jc100]

You're such a saint.

I consider myself normal Thanks.

 

[joeboo]

I've spent a good deal of my life stuck in traffic because of someone else. One consultation of my death is that a bunch of people will have to wait for me on my funeral day. Until then though I don't mind waiting around for people on their day.

 

[Baggsy]

Again, does none of this apply to the procession? Do these norms not apply to them because they're mourning? What other ways are they permitted to offend people because they're honouring a dead person?

Funerals tend to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Your impatience does not.

 

[Modeboy]

NO ONE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE! The problem is with the procession. I have sympathy for them, but that's not a license to take over the roads.

I'm not trying to pick on you, but IIRC isn't your profile picture of a funeral procession?

 

[fastar1]

I'm not trying to pick on you, but IIRC isn't your profile picture of a funeral procession?

Yes it is. I wasn't in that procession, I just find the picture honours Liz very nicely.

Credit goes to Rotten Ronnie.

 

[ZX600]

Fastar1 - I'm ok with you having your opinion and not wanting a procession for yourself, all other people including me are saying is, respect those that the family choose to have one

Thanks all

 

[killerkeith]

This topic is so stupid, it should be an election issue.

Personally I'm not surprised with the lack of respect for others.

 

[Flywheel]

As one who has been part of many funeral processions, including 2 this past month, I want to chime in.

Funeral processions do serve a purpose, they serve as a reminder to the family how much the deceased mattered. Being at the memorial service is one thing, being there when the person is returned to the earth is a more powerful statement. As a minister the committal is far harder than the service, the sense of finality really gets to people.

Almost funeral director I know will tell people to respect traffic laws (stop signs, lights etc.) and will provide people with a map to the cemetary/graveyard. Riding in the lead car it always makes me nervous that someone in the line would do something stupid and cause an accident. Where I can I let people know that they need not worry, I will wait for them.

Sadly we are in a soceity short on respect. I am not saying we need to have the world stop so a funeral can go by, but the impact on the family when people do stop and allow the procession through means more than most can imagine.

Personally I don't care if you stop for the procession or not, nor if you feel the need to run lights etc. to get to the cemetary/graveyard as I will always be there before you (the joys of riding in the lead car). But whatever you choose to do, please be respectful to those mourning. Just remember some day it will be you riding in a car as you head off to the cemetary/graveyard to bury a family member. You may not think it now, but you will remember the respect people demonstrated to you in your time of grief.

Okay, now I have to know. What's the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard? I haven't seen a funeral party on the road in a while and can't remember them being a problem worth arguing over.

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