Funeral Procession
 

This afternoon on Hwy 25 we saw police flashing lights approaching us in the opposite lane. All the cars on our side of the road pulled over. It was a funeral procession. After the police cruiser past no one on our side of the road moved until the entire procession past. We have never seen this before. In locations we have lived previously, the cars would have proceeded as soon as the police vehicle passed. Is this a law or custom in Florida? It was like all the cars on our side of the road were paying respect to the deceased. Just interested in other peoples take on this.

It is the custom in Texas. Why would you just wait till the police went by? Also many people step out of their cars and men remove their caps. I don’t know if it is the law but is is the respectful thing to do.

When I was stationed in Alabama it was pretty much The courteous and respectfull thing to do. I think it's mostly practiced in southern states.

That’s the way it is in Kentucky

southern respect.

When I was at my Brothers Funeral in Clarksville, Tenn. Even the kids in the school yard stopped playing cars in both directions pulled over and stopped until the procession had completely passed. Respect for sure

Not just southern respect, we did it in OHIO.

The way they do it in TN.

Same thing happened to me on the golf course here in the Villages. A gentleman we were placed with drove his golf cart to the side of the road as the funeral procession went by. He got out off his cart took off his hat and bowed his head , I said that was a really nice thing to do. He said that was least he could after be married to her for 50 years! Yep only in The Villages.

They do it in Minnesota...or did when we lived there! My mom explained to me when I was little that it was out of respect.

:mademyday:

Indiana, too.

Yes !

South Carolina too....

but sad to say not in Miami...people there speed up to try to get around the procession. South Floridians attempt to not pull over for ambulances and firetrucks either. If they can speed up they will....That was a big issue for Broward.

Different cultures do different things....I suppose

I agree. I think it is a good thing and a respectful thing and I was completely surprised to find that it wasn't something everyone was taught to do. Apparently it is a law as well;

Police urge caution and respect for funeral processions

Where?

Massachusetts & NY as well...always!

We have lived in Wisconsin, Colorado, New York and Arizona,

Where in Wisconsin? We lived there as well and saw it displayed out of respect in the towns we lived in.

:a20:

That's really touching.

I have never heard of this. In Massachusetts traffic stops in all directions if a funeral procession is traversing an intersection. But not pulling over nor leaving your vehicle.

Connecticut as well.

Another yes from Minnesota.

As we got older, the custom began to fade.:sad:

I am from Peoria, IL and that is the norm in Illinois. I do not know if it is a law or a sign of respect. It gives you time to say a quick prayer for the deceased soul and for the family and friends.

Huh?
 

In NY they would cut into the funeral procession so as to beat traffic.

Traffic has definitely always stopped at intersections for funeral processions, but I don’t remember everyone pulling off to the side of the road and letting them by. I know I’ve passed several before while going the opposite direction, but can’t remember a time when one came up behind us on the road. I’m also not remembering there always being a police escort. Often the funeral home just has a lead car with caution lights.

It is out of respect
 

This is also the way it’s done in Colorado.

Our experience since moving south has shown this to be a normal occurrence. On a return trip up north to Cleveland, Ohio for a sister in law's funeral, cars from side streets and even on the road we processed on cut through the procession. Reminded us of how nice the customs of the south were. In Atlanta, I remember pulling over on a 4 lane highway as a procession for a police officer KIA passed by on the opposite side and it was very long. No one drove by on our side of the road or on the side of the procession. All traffic stopped. A very nice respectful custom.