Advice for Planning a Funeral Procession

When someone close to us dies, we want to do everything we can to honor their memory. Part of that process often includes arranging a funeral procession. If you’re tasked with planning a funeral procession, there are a few things you need to know. In this blog post, we’ll provide advice on the process, vehicle options, and the procession route. We hope this information will help make the planning process easier for you during this difficult time.

What is a Funeral Procession?

A funeral procession is a cortege of vehicles carrying the body of the deceased to the final resting place. The procession typically includes the hearse, which carries the casket, as well as family members and close friends in other vehicles. There are usually around 20 vehicles in a funeral procession. Often, the funeral procession will be led by a police escort.

Planning the Procession

There are a few things you need to take into consideration when planning the funeral procession. First, you’ll need to decide who will be riding in the procession. You may want to limit it to immediate family and close friends. Next, you’ll need to choose the type of transportation. You can either use your own vehicle or rent a hearse and limousines. Finally, you’ll need to map out the route of the procession.

Procession Order

The funeral procession usually starts with a lead car followed by the hearse carrying the casket. The family usually follows in their own vehicles, and other close friends may join the procession as well. The funeral director or a designated driver will typically lead the procession in the lead car.

Additionally, many funeral homes will offer a professional escort service. This is where the funeral home will provide a driver to lead the procession in their own vehicle. This can be helpful if you’re not familiar with the area or if you want to avoid having to drive in the procession.

For a better understanding on understanding the rules and order of a procession, check out this Youtube video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMsPL2Xo9lQ

Choosing a Route

When choosing a route for the procession, you’ll want to consider the final resting place. You’ll also want to take into account any traffic or construction that may be in the area. You may want to map out a few different routes and then choose the one that you think will be the most efficient. There are also some other things that you need to take into account including:

• The number of vehicles in the procession

• The speed limit

• Turns

• Traffic lights

• The weather

What to Expect

The process of a funeral procession is relatively simple. Once you’ve planned everything out, the funeral director will typically take care of organizing everything. They will give you an estimated time of arrival for the procession and let you know when it’s time to leave.

When it’s time to start the procession, the hearse will usually go first, followed by the family and other close friends. The lead car will typically stay at the front of the procession, and the rest of the cars will follow behind.

During the procession, it’s customary for everyone to keep their headlights on and to refrain from honking their horns. You may also want to have someone in each vehicle turn on their hazard lights.

As the procession nears the final resting place, the funeral director will typically give everyone a heads up. They will let you know when to start slowing down and when to turn off your headlights.

When you arrive at the final resting place, the hearse will usually go first, followed by the family. The rest of the cars will typically park in a designated area.

After the funeral, the family will usually host a reception for everyone who attended the service. This is typically held at a nearby church or banquet hall.

What Not to Do

In a time of mourning, it’s important to be respectful of the deceased and their family. There are a few things that you should avoid doing during a funeral procession.

First, you should never try to pass the hearse or the lead car. This is considered to be disrespectful. You should also avoid honking your horn or playing music loudly while in the procession. Additionally, you should refrain from talking or texting on your phone while in the procession.

Finally, you should never try to take pictures of the funeral procession or the deceased. This is considered to be in bad taste and is disrespectful to the family.

Preparing for the Ceremony

In terms of the ceremony, you’ll want to consult with the funeral director to see what they recommend. They will typically have a list of suggested readings, music, and other things that you can do to personalize the service.

You’ll also want to decide who you want to speak to at the ceremony. This is typically done by the immediate family, but you may also want to ask close friends or other family members.

It’s also important to think about what you’re going to wear to the funeral. You’ll want to dress respectfully and avoid wearing anything that is too casual or revealing.

When it comes time for the funeral, you’ll want to be sure to follow the instructions of the funeral director. They will typically tell you when to arrive and where to sit.

The funeral director will also let you know when it’s time to start the procession. They will usually give everyone a few minutes to say their final goodbyes before starting the procession.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we understand how difficult it is to plan a funeral. However, we hope that this guide has been helpful in providing you with some guidance. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you through this difficult time. Thank you for considering us as your provider of funeral services. We want to provide you with the best possible service and give your loved ones the send-off they deserve. For any questions feel free to call us at (610) 862-0560. You can also visit our website at Heritagecoach.com, or visit us at 449 Old Reading Pike Pottstown, PA 19464. We provide a wide range of services to make sure your loved one’s final journey is handled with the utmost care. Thanks for choosing Heritage!