At any funeral in amongst all the sadness there will always be something that makes you smile, but that I have to say made me really laugh.
Me to.
Some years ago, we took my in-laws out to lunch to a local pub. We were surprised to find that the landlord greeted us at the door, and showed us into a room full of people all dressed in black.
Quite understandably, he had mistaken my mother-in-law's (always) miserable face for one of the funeral party who were gathered in said room.
My husband and I had to rush from the room to stifle our hysterical laughter.
I went to my Aunt's funeral Friday. Two cars for family and the hearse but because my boyfriend was coming with me, I had to drive behind. I also had to take a family friend. Didn't think to have a flag on my car. To be honest I was focusing on not getting lost as I had never been to the Crematorium where the service was held. All the way there I saw people stop, some took their caps off and some tilted their heads. I thought that was lovely. There were only two cars following the the funeral cars. Everyone else was waiting at the crem when we got there. Awful day. So much emotion. I was able to be pall bearer so I managed to give my aunt my own little send off. I remember on of my Nan's funeral back in 2002 when I was 16. We were driving through town and a group of teenagers were jeering at the car, laughing and sticking their fingers up... I wanted to get out and beat the living daylights of of the little shits.
Might depend where you live, I thought they were fairly common down here - I know they had the back flags on all the cars at my FIL's funeral 6 years ago.
I think it's a good idea, although there will still always be some other drivers who cut in because they can't wait two minutes longer.
As to helping the non-black cars in the cortege find the funeral - I suppose in these satnav days we should all be prepared to make our own way but it's not easy to remember everything on funeral day, and it can be tricky to keep up, sometimes for two journeys, one to the church (if used) then on again to the crem. or burial ground.
My Mum would have absolutely hated the idea of a black flag. She specifically wanted people to wear colourful clothes to her funeral and to sing happy songs and not mournful hymns.
Must admit, I'd feel the same. I'd be happier (only I'd be dead and not know about it!) that people hang a pair of colourful swim shorts on their car window than a black flag.
Is it just me or do you see a lot less funeral corteges these days?
Years ago they were a regular sight.
Obviously there aren't less funerals now so what are people doing?Does the funeral director take the coffin straight to the crematorium and people meet there?
Bit of a coincidence coming across this post but I was driving back from my sisters with mum today and as we pulled off a roundabout we were behind a hearse. Was saying to mum that I wondered if people would overtake as we had always been taught you don't overtake a hearse. Anyway, no other cars went past but don't know if that was becasue it was snowing so much or they all knew not to - anyone else come across this 'tradition' as I'm not sure my kids would understand it? Like someone else said you don't seem to see as many corteges nowadays - puzzling in a way
Had a bit of a problem following the hearse at my uncle's funeral, I did not realise the hearse could go that fast! so fast that we could not even see where he was, lights changed and he was off and round a roundabout, we had no idea which exit he took as we did not know the area, we did get there in the end, the whole event was a bit 'carry on' to be honest....in the family tradition, my granddad's cortege was stopped in it's tracks by the bin lorry in the middle of the road(they had changed bin day after a bank holiday) and we all had to reverse up the road and round the corner to get behind the hearse as again we didn't know the way to the church my grandmother had decided on then at the crem 2 cars broke down
I've never seen it done before but it's a nice idea, for town funerals here there's usually only the hearse and mourners walking behind.
When my uncle died he actually got a police escort to the neighbouring town for his funeral, because he had so many connections and was so involved in the community they anticipated a huge funeral.
I've commented on this thread a couple of times now and had my posts removed without explanation as to why?
Because your removed posts contained possibly libelous statements regarding a named commercial organisation that you allege are breaching patents that you state that you hold. Other posters highlighted this fact shortly after you posted, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise.
Is it just me or do you see a lot less funeral corteges these days?
Years ago they were a regular sight.
Obviously there aren't less funerals now so what are people doing?Does the funeral director take the coffin straight to the crematorium and people meet there?
Often, yes. Funerals are really expensive, and the shorter the time you have the hearse, the less you pay. Funeral cars for the family add a lot to the cost.
Comments
Sorry but this made me laugh!
It reminded me of Only Fools and Horses when Uncle Albert died and they went to the wrong funeral.
At any funeral in amongst all the sadness there will always be something that makes you smile, but that I have to say made me really laugh.
Me to.
Some years ago, we took my in-laws out to lunch to a local pub. We were surprised to find that the landlord greeted us at the door, and showed us into a room full of people all dressed in black.
Quite understandably, he had mistaken my mother-in-law's (always) miserable face for one of the funeral party who were gathered in said room.
My husband and I had to rush from the room to stifle our hysterical laughter.
As to helping the non-black cars in the cortege find the funeral - I suppose in these satnav days we should all be prepared to make our own way but it's not easy to remember everything on funeral day, and it can be tricky to keep up, sometimes for two journeys, one to the church (if used) then on again to the crem. or burial ground.
Must admit, I'd feel the same. I'd be happier (only I'd be dead and not know about it!) that people hang a pair of colourful swim shorts on their car window than a black flag.
What if you get caught in a queue of cars, including some with football club scarves hanging out of the windows?
Years ago they were a regular sight.
Obviously there aren't less funerals now so what are people doing?Does the funeral director take the coffin straight to the crematorium and people meet there?
I actually got a bit upset when several cars put themselves between my gran's hearse and my car on the way to the crematorium.:(
Like a little hat?
The image that came into my head was that of Blackadder 2 where his aunt and uncle came to dinner.....
Sorry
In the last 20 years I've been in 6 corteges and in all cases we had a black flag! Its a very old practice!
Spooky
When my uncle died he actually got a police escort to the neighbouring town for his funeral, because he had so many connections and was so involved in the community they anticipated a huge funeral.
Because your removed posts contained possibly libelous statements regarding a named commercial organisation that you allege are breaching patents that you state that you hold. Other posters highlighted this fact shortly after you posted, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise.
Often, yes. Funerals are really expensive, and the shorter the time you have the hearse, the less you pay. Funeral cars for the family add a lot to the cost.