| It's interesting to note that, regardless of the vehicle | | | | gesturing for you, the driver, to come forward. The |
| code in a particular state, funeral escorts in some cities | | | | hand signals and timing of escorts are not always |
| or counties frequently clash with local police. | | | | clear. |
| Resentment may be deep enough that police have | | | | When professionally done, the funeral procession is |
| even arrested funeral escorts for impersonating a | | | | kept in one lane, usually the left, unless it has to merge |
| peace officer (in Texas, for example). On the other | | | | onto a freeway ramp on the right.By the way, woe to |
| hand, some communities utilize trained community | | | | the non-funeral motorist in another, parallel lane, who |
| aides, instead of police officers, for funeral escort duty. | | | | doesn't stop at a red light or Stop sign, before |
| This frees up officers to do regular police | | | | proceeding through it at the same time as the |
| work.Regardless of any local tensions, specific laws | | | | procession! If your vehicle isn't displaying that |
| and rules apply for funeral processions. In California, for | | | | company's funeral sticker, it might be a good idea to |
| example:Funeral processions have the right of way. | | | | just pull over and park where it's allowed, until the |
| You must yield to them and never obstruct or interfere | | | | funeral procession has passed on by. But watch your |
| in any way. | | | | rear and side view mirrors for relays of speeding |
| All vehicles traveling in a funeral procession must be | | | | motorcycle escorts coming up behind you, before you |
| accompanied by a motorcycle escort. Usually one | | | | make a move. Then, change lanes or turn safely into a |
| escort is assigned for approximately every 10 to 12 | | | | side street away from the procession itself.Drivers in |
| vehicles. | | | | the funeral procession should exercise great caution to |
| In addition, funeral stickers (often brightly colored) must | | | | avoid colliding with any other motor vehicles, bicyclists, |
| be attached to front and/or rear windows of each | | | | pedestrians or roaming animals, and should not exceed |
| vehicle. These stickers are issued by the company | | | | the speed limit for a particular highway. Be prepared to |
| that was contracted by the mortuary to provide the | | | | listen to a lot of shrill whistle blowing from the escorts, |
| escort service. | | | | as well as voice commands.If you can't attend the |
| Escorts also hold up "Turn On Headlights" signs as the | | | | burial at the cemetery after the funeral service, you |
| procession leaves the mortuary or place of worship. (In | | | | may be trapped in the funeral procession anyway. |
| addition to required headlights, some states mandate | | | | Escorts can sometimes make it difficult to impossible |
| hazard lights to be flashing.)Treat Funeral Processions | | | | for any vehicle to leave the mortuary or church |
| with RespectAll of us should always treat funeral | | | | parking lot before the hearse leaves first. If that's the |
| processions with respect, out of common decency. | | | | case, everyone is channeled into one long line of cars, |
| And yes, the directions of a funeral escort should be | | | | and you can't get out of it, even when you're on the |
| obeyed, even when they seem to violate the law. One | | | | highway. So, plan ahead for more time than expected |
| example of "breaking the law" is when you run red | | | | when attending a funeral. You might also want to park |
| lights and Stop signs. Only do that, if the lead escort | | | | on the street, so you won't have to negotiate with a |
| has ordered cross traffic to stop first and is still | | | | funeral escort inside the parking lot. |