Do cars driving in a funeral line have to follow any laws?

Question

I am referring to when people follow behind a hearse during a funeral as it drives the coffin to the cemetery. Usually the people go very slow and have their hazards on. However, is this something they just do, or do they have to get a permit? Do they have to follow strict guidelines such as not being able to drive during rush hour or on highways or heavily populated roads? I only ask because I seem to only recall seeing these funeral lines (for lack of a better way to describe it) driving only on like back roads, and sometimes they have police escorts with them – sometimes they do not. Is that optional or what?

Answer 1

of course they do

Answer 2

I dont believe there is any set time or roadway that a funeral procession has to follow, just whichever way is closest and easiest to get to the place of burial.

I do know that there are laws for them though: For example, in Ohio

Sec. 4511.451. (A) As used in this section, "funeral procession" means two or more vehicles accompanying a the cremated remains or the body of a deceased person in the daytime when each of such the vehicles has its headlights lighted and is displaying a purple and white or an orange and white pennant attached to each vehicle in such a manner as to be clearly visible to traffic approaching from any direction.

(B) Excepting public safety vehicles proceeding in accordance with section 4511.45 of the Revised Code or when directed otherwise by a police officer, pedestrians and the operators of all vehicles, street cars, and trackless trolleys shall yield the right of way to each vehicle which that is a part of a funeral procession. Whenever the lead vehicle in a funeral procession lawfully enters an intersection, the remainder of the vehicles in such the procession may continue to follow such the lead vehicle through the intersection notwithstanding any traffic control devices or right of way provisions of the Revised Code, provided that the operator of each vehicle exercises due care to avoid colliding with any other vehicle or pedestrian upon the roadway.

(C) No person shall operate any vehicle as a part of a funeral procession without having the headlights of such the vehicle lighted and without displaying a purple and white or an orange and white pennant in such a manner as to be clearly visible to traffic approaching from any direction.

Sec. 4511.453. (A) Neither the owner, the operator, or an employee of a funeral home nor the owner or operator of a funeral escort vehicle is liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property.

It is common courtesy and respect for the ones who have passed on that oncoming cars either slow to almost a halt, or stop altogether (where possible) until the procession has passed. Also for gentlemen to remove their hats.

Answer 3

Yes, they do all have to in a sense have to have a permit. This permit is given to them at the funeral home where they start from and its taken away when the burial is over, at the cemetery. The funeral home give all cars a tag or sticker or a flag to drive to the funeral with. Only those that are going to the burial. They drive slow and follow the hearse....slowly and in order. They continue through red lights and stop signs. All other car have to let them have the right of way.

Answer 4

Funeral processions usually have police escorts so they don't have to stop for red lights. They are all asked to drive with their headlights on to indentify them as part of the procession, and the police also keep other cars from breaking into the line and trying to cut off the mourners.

Answer 5

most funeral process the mourners are usually give a sticker
to place on their windshield saying "funeral" (its to tell others
as well as the police escorts that they in a procession
and its also to stop others from "joining" the line (non mourners)

Answer 6

I think it's more of a courtesy of the other drivers that allow the procession to continue unobstructed.

As far as LAWS. Who's going to enforce them.

If I were a cop, I wouldn't stop a car in a procession for going through a stop sign. Would you?