A funeral procession is a procession, usually in motor vehicles or by foot, from a funeral home or place of worship to the cemetery or crematorium. ... This practice has shifted over time toward transporting the deceased in a hearse, while family and friends follow in their vehicles.
What is the drive from the funeral home to the cemetery called?
A funeral procession is used to accompany the body or the cremated remains of a deceased person from the funeral service to the cemetery. A funeral procession allows for the family and friends to come together as one in their grief and mourning.
What is a group of funeral cars called?
A funeral procession, or cortège , is when a group of people or vehicles follow a coffin. A traditional funeral procession begins at the funeral home or at the home of the person who’s died. It finishes at the location of the service and burial or cremation.
What is the order of a funeral procession?
Immediately following the hearse are the cars holding the members of the immediate family, followed then by a flower car . After the immediate family and the flower car come all other funeral attendees.
What is another term of which the funeral procession is called?
Also known as a funeral cortege , a traditional funeral procession will begin at the funeral home or at the home of the person who has passed away. ... Funeral directors often lead the cortege on foot for a short distance before getting into the hearse.
Why does a man walk in front of a funeral car?
When the cortege is ready to leave, the funeral director will ask everyone to make their way to their cars. The funeral director will then walk in front of the hearse for a short distance. This is a mark of respect to the deceased and also gives following cars an opportunity to join the cortege.
Why does a funeral director carry a cane?
Some people still make this simple gesture of respect, when any hearse passes by. The funeral director often leads the procession carrying a cane or ornamental walking stick. The stick, or ‘wand ‘is a hark-back to a centuries-old tradition, which fell out of practice in the later half of the 19th century.
Do funeral processions stop at red lights?
The law allows vehicles in a funeral procession to proceed past a red light or stop sign if the lead vehicle entered the intersection while the light was still green or if it made a full stop at the stop sign. ... They must yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles (75 Pa. Cons.
What is a grave without a body called?
Cenotaph – a grave where the body is not present; a memorial erected as over a grave, but at a place where the body has not been interred. A cenotaph may look exactly like any other grave in terms of marker and inscription.
Can a body be buried without a casket?
Can You Legally Be Buried in the Ground Without a Casket? Laws differ between states, but the majority require that people be buried in a casket . ... You can also choose to be buried in a simple cloth shroud. Many cemeteries that require burial with a casket also require a burial vault.
Should you pull over for a funeral procession?
And, of course, drivers should always pull over for a funeral procession . Not only is it polite to let a grieving family make their way from the funeral home to the burial site, but in many states, it’s the law. ... In fact, in many states, police officers can ticket drivers who cut through a funeral procession.
Who sits in the front row at a funeral?
At many funerals, relatives of the deceased sit on the right side. Friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and others typically sit on the left. The front rows are reserved for close relatives .
Is it rude to bring a baby to a funeral?
Most people will agree that an infant is too young . Bringing a baby to a funeral is likely to simply cause a distraction. ... If the deceased did not have a chance to meet the baby, he or she may have requested the little one’s attendance prior to departing. In most cases, it’s best to honor the wishes of the deceased.
Who walks in first at a funeral?
The officiant leads the processional and is followed by pallbearers who carry the coffin. Next to walk down the aisle are the family and kin to the deceased followed by close friends who will take their seats in the first few rows, marking the start of the ceremony. A recessional marks the end of the funeral service.
What is a Cortège?
1 : a train of attendants : retinue . 2 : procession especially : a funeral procession. Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About cortege.
Who speaks at funerals?
Family members, friends, clergy, and/or funeral conductors often give eulogies. At very religious funerals it is common for only clergy to deliver eulogies. However, even at many religious funerals it is common for others to deliver eulogies as well.
