Funeral Processions - do you stop?

C&K*s Mommie wrote: Is traffic required to stop for funeral processions where you live?

A topic was raised months ago, about Floridians stopping for funeral processions. A classmate, & former Maine resident who is now down here, she was suprised to see that we do this. All traffic in the way of the procession must stop. Even the traffic on the opposing side of the street. There usually are 2-3 cop cars stopping traffic and leading/following behind, the procession is easily noticed with the lights, and emergency flashers on too. Another classmate confirmed that up north they do not stop.

I was just curious to see if this is true for other states.

moped replied: Yes I stop!

grapfruit replied: Absolutely. Same way you described.

I went to a funeral once for a friend that was a long time Harley rider. There were probably 75+ bikes that went from the "Clubhouse" to the funeral home to attend his service and myself and another person in a car. We pretty much stopped traffic on our own (we weren't following a herse or anything). But I guess a pack of bikes that big everyone is going to stop, mostly to see what's going on!

mom2my2cuties replied: Yes I do stop. I actually find it extremely disrespectful if someone doesn't stop to allow safe and honorable passage to the family and friends of the deceased. The only time I have felt it "ok" not to stop is when an 18 wheeler is passing in the opposite direction, but even then, most of them make an attempt to stop or at least slow down.

Something else to think about, a lot of times, the people driving these vehicles in the procession are grieving and crying and not thinking as clearly as they normally would, and are sometimes prone to making traffic errors they wouldn't normally make, and for my own safety I think it is wise to stop.

My family always had this rule growing up, we would always pull over and say a quick prayer for the family of the deceased. Same thing if we passed an ambulence.

luvbug00 replied: we do stop on the side of the road where the prossession takes plce but not on the other side. so if the funeral is headding north all northbound trafic makes way and/or stops . but if they are headed south, soundbound traffic continues as normal.

Kentuckychick replied: Absolutely!

In our community funeral processions are typically led and followed by several police vehicles with flashing lights that stop traffic and make sure no one cuts in. Some smaller processions are led by vehicles owned by the funeral homes which also have flashing lights.

As for people stoping... it just depends on the road. If it's an intersection EVERYONE has to stop and the cops make sure of that. If it's a two lane road most people going the opposite direction will stop out of respect to the procession. On major roads (most of our roads are 4+ lane roads with medians in the middle) traffic continues in the opposite direction but all turn lanes stop. It would slow traffic down and cause too many backups to stop all the traffic on these roads.

We have had special funerals for military and police officers where all traffic comes to a standstill. When I went to the funeral for my good friends dad who's a police officer his procession went through downtown and included at least 200 police cars and motorcycles... it lasted a good 30-40 minutes so I know some people had to stop at intersections for quite a while, but everyone seemed very respectful.

As for ambulances, I'm AMAZED at the number of individuals who ignore traffic laws regarding ambulances!

Anthony275 replied: when my gpa died in january the guys from the funeral parlor were outside directing traffic, not sure if thats the same thing you're asking

Momof3inMe replied: Well seeing I am from Maine I ALWAYS stop. I fine it very disrespectful if people don't stop.

amynicole21 replied: I wouldn't break up a procession, but I wouldn't stop if they are travelling the same direction as I am down a 4 or 6lane road. I would just get in the other lane...

Brias3 replied: Funny you ask this....I was in a complete rush out the door today and for the first time in a LONG time, I had to stop for a very looong funeral procession.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Well there are no rules here about stopping...but most do it our of respect. There are 2 funeral homes in my suburb of Ottawa, and the churches are all within walking distance of the funeral homes... so the processions aren't very long time wise.

It's custom though, at least it was in pretty much every funeral that I've been to, to have those little pompoms or whatever put up on the cars so that other drivers know that that car is part of the procession. Kind of like at a wedding.

We stop... but we just shift lanes if we're going the same direction.

I think it's SO RUDE for people to cut in the procession.

My3LilMonkeys replied:
Same here....and traffic in the opposite direction never stops, unless the procession is crossing in front. Although it is the law here that funeral processions don't have to stop for red lights or stop signs (to prevent them from getting separated) and I've seen people yelling at them for running the stop signs.

luvmykids replied:
Here the standard is to have headlights on.

We stop, I"m trying to picture if I've ever been on the freeway or something and gotten in another lane, I don't think I've been in that scenario so usually yes, I stop.

lovemy2 replied: Yes we pull over much like you would for an ambulance or police car - and on the highway you move over and should NEVER butt in on an on ramp, etc.....I hate seeing someone butt into a procession as much as I hate to see someone blow by a school bus with its red lights on....

Crystalina replied: Always!

That reminds me of an idiot who cut into a prcession I was in....This woman actually even turned her headlights on (as we all had ours on) until she came to her turn. She then made her turn as we all continued our straight path to the cemetary.

Calimama replied:
I agree 100%

HuskerMom replied: I don't know if it's required here but I always stop just out of respect. I saw a funeral procession go through the walmart parking lot one time. It was so weird. I think the person at the beginning just got confused and went through there accidently.

A&A'smommy replied: I ALWAYS stop out of respect!!!

Cece00 replied: You HAVE to stop here. 2 or 3 cops go to the front of the line & block all the traffic & use their lights to warn people not to go.

Mommy2BAK replied:

Mommy2Isabella replied: I believe by law we have to. A few weeks ago someone got a ticket for zooming by when the cops had stopped ALL CARS and the intersection they kept going. One of the cops chased after them ...

Even if that werent the case, I would def. still stop!

TANNER'S MOM replied: We always stop in either lane out of respect. We travel with our head lights on if we are with the funeral party. Here a police man leads the percession.

When my Dh's cousin died..we were in a funeral percession, a kid in a Mustang tried to get out in the traffic..and this was only a few blocks over from the funeral home..and I thought Dh was going to become a huge REDNECK.. he almost T boned us..no one needs to be in that big a hurry!

CantWait replied: I thought the rule in Canada was that you HAD to stop, however it is out of respect. Either way I do, you can always tell because from every funeral procession I have seen each car has a sign on their hood that says funeral.

indywndy_04 replied: Yes, we have to stop...and even if we didnt legally have to...I would out of respect.

gr33n3y3z replied: we do not have to but I do

Boo&BugsMom replied: Yes, I believe we have a law about it here.

lisar replied: I live in florida to and yes its the law that you stop. They can and will write you a ticket if you dont.

PrairieMom replied: I always stop, although I DID get a little road rage the other day at all the people running the red light, until I realized that they were in a procession.

jem0622 replied: Absolutely I do!

grapfruit replied:
Does anybody know if they go over this in driving school?? B/c if they don't they should... You know I'm not that much older then some "kids" and I'm still amazed at the disrespect and lack of caring from them.

Although I think I knew well before I was old enough to drive that you should let a funeral procession go past...

TheOaf66 replied: I do stop and yes I can especially see it in Florida since that is where a lot of old people go to die (sorry little joke )

grapfruit replied:
I giggled

stella6979 replied: Yep, there's a law here too. I will admit, I can get annoyed when the funeral consists of 100 cars and I have somewhere to be, but obviously, I respect the law and the family in mourning and will just sit and wait patiently.

holley79 replied: Well since Nicole and I are in the same town you know we stop. Our deputies lead the "pack". I know when I was in MS for a funeral people stopped and those on the side walk stopped walking.