Funeral Procession Etiquitte

[vanagon40]

Funeral Procession Etiquette

I did not want to hijack meathead's thread on stopping for an emergency vehicle, but it did bring to my mind a somewhat controversial subject of funeral procession etiquette. Quite simply, when there is funeral procession in a northbound lane, should the southbound traffic stop? If you believe yes, does the same rule hold true for a four lane undivided road?

My personal opinion is that there is no reason for traffic in the opposite direction to stop. This is completely different than an emergency vehicle that needs to proceed as fast as possible, merging into the oncoming traffic lane if necessary to pass. 1) the funeral procession is not an emergency; 2) the funeral procession is not on a high speed mission; and 3) the funeral procession does not need to merge into the oncoming traffic lane.

I am not talking about failing to yield to a funeral procession at an intersection. Simply stopping on a road for an funeral procession proceeding in the opposite direction.

I specifically recall eastbound traffic on US 40 east of Indianapolis (a 4 lane highway) coming to a complete stop when I was in my brother-in-law's funeral procession on westbound 40. I did not approve.

[Mr Whiskey]

Two things you always stop for,
biker on the side of the road,
& a mans last ride.
The first is about brotherhood,
& the second is about respect

[Bighead]

Two things you always stop for,
biker on the side of the road,
& a mans last ride.
The first is about brotherhood,
& the second is about respect

Amen Whiskey

[old2soon]

Been on P G R missions-funerals-here in Missouri-Arkansas and Oklahoma. People in all three States GENERALLY stop in the oncoming lanes as a sign of Respect. NOT Sure if in any of the three states I mentioned if oncoming traffic is Required to stop. BUT I have seen defective people ignore the L E Os and pass the procession and the L E Os and the road guards. I've seen the defectives cut right thru the middle of funeral processions. WAY Too many folks NOT paying attention their driving. Not ABOUT to give up my P G R though-far too important to me to ignore. I'll continue to take my chances. RIDE SAFE.

[Mr Whiskey]

Been on P G R missions-funerals-here in Missouri-Arkansas and Oklahoma. People in all three States GENERALLY stop in the oncoming lanes as a sign of Respect. NOT Sure if in any of the three states I mentioned if oncoming traffic is Required to stop. BUT I have seen defective people ignore the L E Os and pass the procession and the L E Os and the road guards. I've seen the defectives cut right thru the middle of funeral processions. WAY Too many folks NOT paying attention their driving. Not ABOUT to give up my P G R though-far too important to me to ignore. I'll continue to take my chances. RIDE SAFE.

Stay vigilant & ride safe Brother,
the world is jus' chock plumb full of "fidiots" these days

[BF]

Two things you always stop for,
biker on the side of the road,
& a mans last ride.
The first is about brotherhood,
& the second is about respect

What he said.

[Robert]

Its interesting to listen to your opinions since mine are a bit different. I have had to stop for a procession that lasted maybe 4 to 5 minutes on several occasions. This was done on major back streets and without regard to traffic times or routeing. I have had the funeral police stop traffic just as some were about to make a turn not allowing them to turn and stopping them midstream. Then they just left without dealing with the snarled stopped traffic. On major roads again times, traffic, congestion, all not considered and all not dealt with before nor after. I would like to see a procession on NY streets and stopping all traffic. In rural areas the rules should be more lax but in populated busy areas the rules should tighten up for the procession.

 I am sorry for their loss and once considered and planed people should respect the procession. But planning and the amount of cars the routes should be considered also. Held to a minimum and for times and routes that would inconvenience the least amount of people.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Its interesting to listen to your opinions since mine are a bit different. I have had to stop for a procession that lasted maybe 4 to 5 minutes on several occasions. This was done on major back streets and without regard to traffic times or routeing. I have had the funeral police stop traffic just as some were about to make a turn not allowing them to turn and stopping them midstream. Then they just left without dealing with the snarled stopped traffic. On major roads again times, traffic, congestion, all not considered and all not dealt with before nor after. I would like to see a procession on NY streets and stopping all traffic. In rural areas the rules should be more lax but in populated busy areas the rules should tighten up for the procession.

 I am sorry for their loss and once considered and planed people should respect the procession. But planning and the amount of cars the routes should be considered also. Held to a minimum and for times and routes that would inconvenience the least amount of people.

Besides, that dog in your lap is going to have to pee. Can't be sitting there waiting for a funeral procession . 

[RDKLL]

Just found this. I guess I should not be surprised by how different the laws are from state to state. This is what I was looking for:

Cars traveling in the opposite direction of a procession may yield out of respect, if they want, but in most states, they don’t have to yield, slow or stop at all. Clearly, this is a recipe for disaster.

http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2014/07/03/251323.htm

[cookiedough]

I have never seen oncoming traffic in rural 2-lane roads pull over alongside the road, then again,  only been and seen guessing a dozen funeral processions in my life. 

[MacDragon]

I see no reason for travel in the opposite direction to STOP completely unless the funeral procession is turning left in front of you... Then STOP and let ALL the funeral cars turn before proceeding.  I always, at least, slow down and proceed with caution as it is an event that is out of the ordinary flow and others sometimes have unorthodox reactions to something out of the ordinary.

[MarkT]

I don't see sufficient reason to stop oncoming traffic for "respect".  Such traffic does not impede the progress of the procession and we are close to the limit of traffic-handling capacity of our main roads now, particularly around rush hours.  Thanks to all the californicators who ruined their state and have immigrated here to ruin ours.  Stopping at intersections and green lights is sufficient in my view.

As for stopping for broke-down bikes - yeah I'll usually stop if I'm not on a group ride, not on my way to an appointment, and it looks like they need help.  IOW, not someone just donning gloves etc but working on his bike.  Such bikes are usually harleys.  Keeping in mind there are a LOT of bikers here so I'm not their only potential rescue. Though I carry a mix of tools, even a few SAE wrenches, my toolkit is not optimal for American iron. I do have a phone however (so does most everybody), fuses, electrical tools, wires and nuts, ability to share fuel on jade, and a trailer if they are within reasonabe distance from the ranch.

[old2soon]

Been wrong before and I may be wrong now. Maybe this stopping in the oncoming traffic lane(s) could MIGHT be a Southern THANG?? RIDE SAFE.

[Robert]

Besides, that dog in your lap is going to have to pee. Can't be sitting there waiting for a funeral procession . 

What are you talking about on my motorcycle?

You know why dont you stop being an A@@ and just stay on topic and grow up.

[Oss]

At the fireman's (FAHY) funeral the police close streets and limit access then they are at every intersection
Traffic going the other direction is not blocked but no traffic may enter or cross a procession

Last week on 87 (Major Deegan and once in Yonkers its NY Thruway) every overpass had fire truck ladders fully extended with flags and battalions lining either along overpass or with ems squads on side of road.  MANY escorting MC and cars.  Southbound traffic is left alone on other side of jersey barrier,

Personally if able (MEANING THERE IS A SHOULDER) I will pull off and stand next to the fireman on the side of the road until its all over but that is just me, I am funny that way

[Moonshot_1]

If a funeral procession is led by Law Enforcement with lights running, I will pull over and stop.


If a funeral procession is not led by Law Enforcement, I generally will slow down but not pull over.
Usually in this case it might present itself as common on coming traffic till you actually meet.
I've led PGR escorts where the semis and cars see us and pull off on the shoulder throwing up rocks and debris.

I've led PGR escorts where we are just short of cresting a hill, an on coming car sees us, pulls almost over, and the semi coming up behind comes over the hill and barely stops in time.

My opinion, as a matter of safety, unless preceded by Law Enforcement with lights flashing, in which case you would be expected to pull over for such a vehicle,  simply slow down out of respect but continue on to allow traffic to flow safely.

Don't need more funerals.

[baldo]

Besides, that dog in your lap is going to have to pee. Can't be sitting there waiting for a funeral procession . 

What are you talking about on my motorcycle?

 I guess you didn't like my answer and as usual you didn't take the time to commit to an answer and define where you stand in this post. I wonder if this is a life thing for you, speak one liners yet not define a position. You dont need to be scared I dont think anyone on the board would attack verbally for giving a truthful heart felt answer to the post regardless of how scared you may feel. It may be a nice change to define and stand for what you believe in life like all the liberal stuff you defend on your posts. At least it would give all an understanding of who you really are. Get in touch with some of those inner feelings and relate to others in an adult way it would be a nice change and you may actually enjoy it.

Robert,

I took MH's post as a friendly poke. But that's just me. I took this whole thread as driving in a car, not a bike. I suspect he did too.

My .02

Bob

[Robert]

I took MH's post as a friendly poke. But that's just me. I took this whole thread as driving in a car, not a bike. I suspect he did too.

My .02

Bob

I erased what I said but dont mind if you keep it up there, but I didn't take it as a friendly poke because of being on opposite sides of the fence. Its not friendly, its not funny, its not being clear and not responding to the post so I would say its a total wash out. To me its kind of cowardly if I am wrong then let him speak for himself as he has done on many other occasions. To make a post just to Back biting and not staying on topic shows something that only confirms the intent and speaks of the character of the individual.

Thanks for stating what you interpret, exactly what I am speaking of, a good post we will both know what he means.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Robert, I will state it as clearly as I can. It was a jab at you for last week stating that you could safely drive your car with your dog unrestrained. If I hurt your sensibilities with it, I apologize .

[Robert]

Robert, I will state it as clearly as I can. It was a jab at you for last week stating that you could safely drive your car with your dog unrestrained. If I hurt your sensibilities with it, I apologize .

No problem I just want to be sure I understand liberal thinking

[Willow]

Stopping for a funeral procession is about respect, not access.  That is, of course, not the case when an leo has held traffic to allow the procession to turn or pass.

I think it is respectful to stop but only where it is possible to pull off the road.  The practice dates back to horse and buggy days.  It's also respectful to remove one's hat.  I wonder whether that applies to a protective helmet.

I would stop going the opposite direction if there's a shoulder to receive my vehicle.  I don't think I would do so on a divided interstate unless there was a very particular reason for the show of respect, such as the procession for Chris Kyle.

I didn't vote in the poll.  I feel badly these days for how our "me centered" thinking seems to be displacing a lot of meaningful tradition. 

[Bighead]

I feel badly these days for how our "me centered" thinking seems to be displacing a lot of meaningful tradition. 

+1

[Mr Whiskey]

It's also respectful to remove one's hat.

I still do this as well

[Bighead]

It's also respectful to remove one's hat.

I still do this as well

Southern boys are taught manners or you woulda got the crap knocked out of you and it stuck

[MP]

Stopping for a funeral procession is about respect, not access.  That is, of course, not the case when an leo has held traffic to allow the procession to turn or pass.

I think it is respectful to stop but only where it is possible to pull off the road.  The practice dates back to horse and buggy days.  It's also respectful to remove one's hat.  I wonder whether that applies to a protective helmet.

I would stop going the opposite direction if there's a shoulder to receive my vehicle.  I don't think I would do so on a divided interstate unless there was a very particular reason for the show of respect, such as the procession for Chris Kyle.

I didn't vote in the poll.  I feel badly these days for how our "me centered" thinking seems to be displacing a lot of meaningful tradition. 

Agreed.  "Where it is possible to pull OFF the road".  On the vast majority of two lane highways, that is NOT possible.  I do slow down, and pull over some.  However, I do believe it is dangerous to stop, or go REAL slow, while in the traffic lane.  The funeral procession attracts attention.  It is VERY easy for a driver to get caught looking TOO MUCH at the procession, and NOT notice that traffic IN HIS LANE ahead, is either stopped or slowed drastically.  A rear ender waiting to happen.