Funeral Escort question?

[Unique_Carpenter]

I guess I'm surprised this thread keeps going.
Is anyone really going to go up against a fully armoured and weaponized street warrior on a mechanized stead (motorcycle doughnut eater) that also has comm equipment to call in the rest of his pastry taste testing team?

As much as I'd like to watch it would be over rather quickly.

[cucharabill]

Originally Posted by chicagoboy

They're not just rent-a-cops - the City of Houston requires funeral processions to have a police motorcycle escort.

Same holds true in Oklahoma City.

[ShysterJon]

My first reaction to the OP's post was that only licensed peace officers employed by the city in question serve as funeral procession escorts, but I did a little research and found that there are private companies that provide the service and that the policies regarding escorts for funeral processions vary by city.

[CRISTY-CUPPS]

As a widow for less then 2 years now this post brought back sad memories for me today
I did appreciate the respect that was shown by motorists in New Orleans during that last ride. Now Im gonna be bummed out for the rest of the day.

[Sami]

Respect is pulling over and not bitching about it. Just be grateful you are going home to your loved ones, and not laying them to rest. Most are in such a hurry to get in front of you, only to get caught at the next light just like me...

[Audrey Astor]

Really dude???? Damn, it's apparent you have not lost anyone or have any respect.

[rkedge]

I actually wrote a paper on this in college. I grew up in California. When I moved to Florida a few years ago I was caught by a funeral procession coming the other direction. I slowed down (as is the custom in CA on a narrow road) and was shocked and confused by the lights flashing, sirens, and honking of the procession cars at me. I had no idea what was going on. A car in front of me had pulled over a little, so I stopped behind them and things calmed down.

On the west coast (California specifically) a funeral procession has the right of way regardless of escort. If you see FUNERAL stickers and headlights on you slow down and give them space to pass. But you certainly don't stop, except at an intersection. And certainly not on the freeway! No one ever stops, but you don't cross the procession either. And no one EVER gets out of their car. And when there is a funeral escort they flash yellow warning lights, not emergency blue or red.

In the south it's a whole other story. Traffic stops each way. Even on the interstate (crazy, stupid, unsafe, but too bad). People often get out of their vehicle and look on. Usually city police or county sheriffs are at both ends with emergency lights flashing.

Ironically in California folks pull over and stop for ambulances and police. Here in Florida they don't even slow down. So if you're dying you'll have to wait till you dead for folks to pull over.

[TexTushHog]

Anyone too busy to pull over and wait for a funeral procession to pass needs to be in the next one, IMHO. First, it's just plain good manners to pull over. Second, it serves a practical purpose to keep the procession together, to keep the temptation to run lights, or speed up so as not to be left behind at a minimum, etc. finally, it is an opportunity to reflect that one day our time will come, to make the most of our time here, and to be grateful for the blessings we have.

In the rural part of the State in which I was born, people would stop their cars, and the men would actually get out of the car, stand with their head bowed and their hat over their heart as the procession passed. Now, it's not unusual that once the family cars have passed, for those traveling the opposite direction, to start on their way as the last of the procession passes. But it would be unthinkable to not pull over as the hearse and the family drive by.