Funeral Processions. Time to Outlaw Them.

a reply to: Nyiah

They knew that how? Did you call 911?

I see what you are saying, but we can't stop everything in a city just because someone might need to get somewhere for an emergency. Which is of course why we have emergency vehicles like ambulances for emergencies and 911 to call.

You OK with parades? Same thing.

a reply to: Raggedyman

All I see is angry people upset over a funeral procession and I had no idea people had become that uncaring and crass.

I'd assume it's the same people who weave in and out of lanes trying to get home one minute faster, who cause a lot of the worst car wrecks. Get out of the way, I own this road

a reply to: sine.nomine

I agree with most of what you have said.

By the way

So you have seen 90% to 95% of the funeral processions in the country?

A question is not putting words in someone's mouth.

I just tend to question some questionable fact statements made here.

Peace.

originally posted by: roadgravel
a reply to: sine.nomine

I agree with most of what you have said.

By the way

So you have seen 90% to 95% of the funeral processions in the country?

A question is not putting words in someone's mouth.

I just tend to question some questionable fact statements made here.

Peace.

Ok. I suppose, to me, it is reminiscent of the "So you're saying..." Cathy Newman and Jordan Peterson interview. At least that's where I was coming from with my statement of putting words in my mouth.

No hard feelings. Much love.

I apologise if I came off as crass. I try not to do that.

Didn't realize this would cause so much discussion.

A couple of things.

I am a patient driver. Personally, I don't mind stopping for funeral processions. That isn't my point. The point is that I see a lot of inattentive drivers and more specifically, I have an issue with the processions that are not escorted by police.

The wrecks I have seen are caused because the processions can be long and sooner or later the train of cars gets split up. Other drivers may not even see or know there is a funeral procession. What then happens is the straggler cars in the procession are trying to catch up and they start driving recklessly eventually causing an accident at an intersection trying to go through lights.

Yes, I know it is a local issue. However, living in a big city, I just see them causing way more harm than good. It would be nice if every driver on the road paid attention, but we all know that is not the reality. Funeral processions are pomp and circumstance and really not necessary. Every one has GPS, they can find their way to the cemetery by a certain time.

If someone wants a procession, I think police escorts should be mandatory.

a reply to: sine.nomine

No prob. I enjoy a lot of your posts around here.

the topic

As always, most people need to be supervised especially when driving around in a group.

a reply to: Edumakated

Get involved in your community then.

You're seeing something that is unsafe and causing issues. Surely you can not be the only one.

However, instead of trying to ask for something asinine, like "outlawing" funeral processions, how about get your city or county council to consider introducing a new ordinance which requires ALL funeral processions to be escorted by law enforcement to ensure the safety of other drivers.

You already said you actually do not have an issue with people wanting to have the processions, just that they are not being escorted and that it is causing dangerous traffic situations.

Plenty of us here do in fact live in areas where it is already required.....for exactly the reasons you've pointed out.



For those of you bitching and griping about how these processions are making you late - get that damn cell phone out and use it. People generally tend to be understanding if you can contact them and explain the hold up......unless they are as unreasonable as you for being enraged by people who wish to respect the recently deceased.

Or, if you're claiming an emergency: give me a damn break. If it was THAT much of a emergency, then your ass should have been using emergency services of paramedics and an ambulance (and no, even a funeral procession has to let them, police and firefighters through).

originally posted by: headorheart
a reply to: Edumakated

It isn't the procession causing the accidents. It is the other drivers being distracted.

Stay alert and be respectful.

Processions cannot blow red lights. The hearse has to follow all rules of the road. All drivers should have ample time to react to that.

I HATE when people interrupt processions.

Hearst's have to follow the rules of lights, but after 30 seconds or however long the light cycle is, those at the back of the procession are still going through the light, maybe for another 2-4 mins (or more), THOSE are the people he is talking about blowing through a red light I think.

Do those people have the right to run red lights? Please tell me where that is legal w/o police directing traffic.

IDC if you "hate" it or not if they interrupt a procession, if the light is red, stop.

AND putting a little flag on the hood or window of the car doesn't give the right to run the light!

originally posted by: eriktheawful
a reply to: Edumakated
For those of you bitching and griping about how these processions are making you late - get that damn cell phone out and use it.

(But pull over first!)


I totally agree with your entire post. If you wanna see your city/town/village enact something, then introduce your idea. Vote.

There is nothing unreasonable about requiring a police escort for a funeral procession. I'm sure most police officers would be happy to do it.

Although, I do know the police force is stretched pretty thin in Chicago. Perhaps a different type of vehicle could be designated for such an occasion? Something privately funded?

originally posted by: Nyiah
I think they should be done away with, not because they're dangerous, but because they're inconsiderate to the rest of society. I've sat through one that took over 20 minutes to go by. While we're on that one, I never did properly rant back then.
Thanks a lot, I had a post-natal c-section follow-up moved up because I'd popped a few staples that morning. Thanks people. Thanks, a goddamn lot. When the OB/GYN says "get here ASAP so I can check that out", they mean ASAP. You turned a 10 minute trip to their office into a 30 minute freak-out. And going to the hospital instead wasn't an option, they were further away in the opposite direction and still had a damn procession between me and them.

Even my grandmother thought they were, and I quote the late old bird, "An extremely RUDE tradition. The rest of traffic does not care your granddaddy just died, and granddaddy does not care if you have a solid line of cars or not getting from Point A to Point B. HE'S. DEAD." Ouch.

She did have reason to loathe them. Having retired to Florida, and in a high-elderly population stretch of the west coast, she was made late to numerous doctor appointments over the years, and this was a woman famous for showing up an hour early.
Her medical schedule was actually fairly tight in hindsight when we found all her medical paperwork after she died.
She didn't let anyone know just how bad off she was, she had multiple appointments a week, physical therapy for her spinal fusion surgery, physical therapy for her fibro-f'd joints, cancer treatments & follow-ups for her colon cancer no one knew she had, etc. She really, really did not like processions getting in her way at all. And I totally understand how someone in her situation would hate them. You & your outdated procession ideas get in the way of real medical situations for the living. I can see how she perceived it as patently rude.

My sister-in-law's father was so against them that he made damn sure the family KNEW not to do that when his time was up. Nobody arraigned for it, we met at the funeral home for the viewing, and those that felt like watching his pretty box drop into a pit in the ground went for that. No procession needed. I think if they'd done a procession, he'd have climbed out of his casket and slapped everyone, running at the mouth a mile a minute in his thick, almost unintelligibly Scottish accent. nobody wants a dead Scottish man coming back to life to kick their ass

Someone died. I get it. I don't care. They'll still be at the destination whether you arrive in one big parade or not.

If you are in a medical situation like that or you are going to get in trouble for being late to work or appt, then jump on in if you can. They didn't lease the city/town for that time period. You shouldn't loose your job or have a worst medical emergency b/c a random train & train crossing appeared in the middle of the city. I'm sure the doctor will say "oh, don't worry about that 20 mins of diminished air flow to your baby, we'll get a note from the funeral home telling you it is alright" or just tell your boss who may not allow any excuses that you'll being a note from the funeral director saying he held you up.

I'd be pretty mad as well if I were you. Anyone getting on your case or telling you you needed to call an ambulance is total BS, that is so much like a nanny state response it is scary.

originally posted by: headorheart
a reply to: Edumakated

It isn't the procession causing the accidents. It is the other drivers being distracted.

Stay alert and be respectful.

Processions cannot blow red lights. The hearse has to follow all rules of the road. All drivers should have ample time to react to that.

I HATE when people interrupt processions.

I still pull over when I see one go by wherever I am on the road. Too bad most people don't anymore.

If I'm in the wrecker, I'll pull over and flash my beacons.

Double post

originally posted by: Blaine91555
a reply to: Raggedyman

All I see is angry people upset over a funeral procession and I had no idea people had become that uncaring and crass.

I'd assume it's the same people who weave in and out of lanes trying to get home one minute faster, who cause a lot of the worst car wrecks. Get out of the way, I own this road

All I see is people upset over drivers and I had no idea people had become that uncaring and crass to inconvenie others on the road.

Seriously I just cant understand how you cant see both sides of the argument
I would never consider a funeral procession because I think its not fair on the community myself

a reply to: Raggedyman

Not meaning to be confrontational, but why do you consider the greiving as inconveniencing? They're going through some rough times. Can't we allow them access for a couple minutes? As a matter of respect and solidarity in their pain? It's simple humanity to me.

a reply to: sine.nomine

Processions are a thing of horse and carts eras
its 2018
Also in smaller communities when everyone knew everyone, yeah I get that as well
Back roads, small towns no worries
Its 2018

Some people are on tight schedules, I think its just a dated practice not for busy thoroughfares

You are not being confrontational, I think it's a great thing to ask questions and offer answers

take it or leave it, each to their own

a reply to: Raggedyman

Well, most of the country is small towns. You may be right that it's not right for busy thoroughfares. Isn't that the conversation? I mean, although I don't see it as a problem personally, I admit I'm in a low density populated area.

You mentioned some people are on tight schedules. Any working person is. You plan ahead for that accordingly. Like an adult. I live six blocks away from where I work and often leave 25-35 minutes ahead of time. Maybe the work ethic here varies from other places, but I wanna get the situation down before I start my work. And if there's a funeral procession, or a car accident or a flat tire or whatever, damnit I'll be to work on time.

a reply to: sine.nomine

It's disturbing to read the comments here and see that there are people who really think funeral processions are inconsiderate. Really?

Some of you need to really sit down and reevaluate your lives and your priorities. Where we live, you pull all the way over to the side of the road, remove your hat, and let the procession pass. In 48 years, that has not negatively impacted my life. I suppose y'all really get uptight when an ambulance or fire truck impedes your day by changing the lights and forcing you out of the way. I mean, screw the person who needs help, right? And if he dies, there damn well better not be a funeral procession!!!!!!!!

Unbelievable what thoughtless little pricks we've become.

a reply to: Raggedyman

A funeral procession is held for the grieving as part of the grieving process. It's an incredibly minor inconvenience to a community that is allowed out of respect for those who are in mourning.

There must be some deeper meaning as to why, what I suspect is a tiny percentage of people, are so bothered by it, they want the practice stopped.

I think the truth of it that it's the me, me, me problem. Reminds me of people who go into a crowded store and then have a meltdown if they can't get up and down the aisles unobstructed, because shocker of shockers, there are other people also shopping in the same store.

Reminds me of people who get angry over construction projects slowing them down, even though if the roads are not kept up to snuff they complain about that.

I've lost count of the number of funeral processions I've stopped for. They generally last a few seconds, certainly not more than a couple of minutes... I've driven in a few my self that I'd just as soon not have.

Frankly, some of you need to get over yourselves. This, as Blaine calls it, me, me, me is getting a tad bit old. Not just funeral processions.

People getting mad because a store aisle is crowded, yep, seen that many times. At the post office. At Starbucks for cryin' out loud, is your cappuccino that important?

a reply to: Blaine91555

So holding all the traffic up is not " look at me, look at me, look at me mourning" statement. Plenty of other people in plenty of other countries around the world don't have processions and grieve without this huge public statement of me me me me me, look at me.

People shopping in a store and a funeral procession, yeah I see the link, it's obvious, oh no it's not. I can avoid busy stores, shops food establishments or post shops but I can't avoid processions
Fixing up the roads, that's a strawman as well
Fixing roads is to avoid danger a procession causes danger

If it's that important then have at it, I am not denying you your public and self centered extension of grieving, demanding everyone focus on You, you, you as you drive slowly down the road so all attention is n you and your grieving

It's not in my country and its not my problem, I have only ever stopped for one and I though it was dangerous on a main thoroughfare, why, because people are stupid

Search "funeral procession causes accidents" in your search engine, see what you find