A lead vehicle is a car driven at the front of the funeral processions. The car behind the lead vehicle would be the hearse. One or more cars usually taking the family and close friends. These cars are often black or white.
In a funeral procession, the vehicle directly behind the hearse carries the close family members – partner, children, parents or siblings – and transports them to the venue. Some processions have more than one vehicle, with mourners travelling in their own cars behind the bereaved family.
A hearse will typically lead the funeral procession, followed by chauffeur-driven limousines carrying immediate family and close friends. Other guests who are attending the funeral may also travel behind the funeral procession.
The officiant (and the choir, if there is one) leads the procession in for religious services, while the celebrant or funeral director usually leads secular (non-religious) processions. The coffin follows, with honorary pallbearers in front of it if there are any. The chief mourners walk behind the coffin.
Traditionally, the order of family in a funeral procession is direct family immediately behind the hearse, followed by close family and friends. Then others who were important to your loved one might join the procession, like neighbours, carers or colleagues.
When the cortege is ready to leave, the funeral director will ask everyone to make their way to their cars. The funeral director will then walk in front of the hearse for a short distance. This is a mark of respect to the deceased and also gives following cars an opportunity to join the cortege.
7: Where to sit
At a funeral, the first few rows are usually allocated to the immediate family (chief mourners). The remaining seats are free for everyone else, and you don't need to pick a specific side.
Usually those outside the family follow the cortege in their own cars but as a rough estimate if you have a large family a funeral limousine can usually accommodate seven-nine people, while a stretch limousine can carry up to 20.
Does the limousine(s) take you home or to the wake after the funeral? Yes, the limousine(s) will take you to the funeral and then onto wherever you wish to go, within the local area.
The processional is led by the officiant and is followed by the pallbearers who carry the casket. Next, the family and kin to the deceased walk down the aisle, followed by close friends as they take their seats in the first few rows. A funeral recessional marks the end of the funeral service.
Yes, but toddlers and babies can be disruptive, especially if it's a long service. You can take older children if they want to go. It's a good idea to prepare them beforehand so they know what to expect.
Proper funeral etiquette dictates that the closer you are to the deceased, the closer you will be to the casket. Spouse, parents, and children of the deceased will sit closest to the front. Sometimes close friends and "honorary family members" will sit with the grieving family.
Once the casket is secure in the hearse, the pallbearers will join the funeral procession. They often ride in a special car or limousine so they can meet the casket as soon as it arrives at the gravesite. This vehicle drives immediately behind the hearse and the other vehicles following behind.
Funeral Seating Guidelines
The front rows are reserved for close relatives. If you are a member of the immediate family and there are step-parents or step-siblings, you must take into account where everyone will sit.
When you see a line of cars outfitted with funeral flags or following a hearse, simply pull over. Not only is it safer for everyone on the road, but it's the polite thing to do and an easy way to show respect for a grieving family.
Wakes and viewings are usually open to all guests, though if the family has not invited you or specified that the event is family-only, you should respect their wishes and not attend. If the body will be present and on view, you may want to prepare yourself emotionally.
According to Dignity Funerals, drivers should follow these tips: Give way to the hearse and funeral cars. Don't cut into a funeral procession. Avoid listening to loud music.
Funeral processions have the right-of-way, but they must yield to emergency vehicles or when directed by a police officer. The lead vehicle must be marked with a light, flag or other insignia indicating a funeral procession. Each vehicle in the procession must have its headlights lit and hazard warning lights on.
A funeral procession, or cortège, is when a group of people or vehicles follow a coffin. A traditional funeral procession begins at the funeral home or at the home of the person who's died. It finishes at the location of the service and burial or cremation.
Usually people say a short prayer by the casket and then proceed to share their condolences with the family. Attending a visitation can be the hardest part for people to attend, because it involves talking to the deceased's family.
Parents, spouses, and minor children are almost always considered to be immediate family, while siblings may or may not count. In addition, adoptive parents or children are also considered immediate family, although there is no blood relation. Half-siblings, step-siblings, and other near relatives are also ambiguous.
The role of the funeral conductor is to preside over the funeral or memorial service. If you will be having the funeral or memorial service at a religious place of worship, the religious leaders there will likely lead the service. Otherwise, anyone can lead a funeral or memorial service.
The front rows are for the immediate family so sit nearer the back if you did not know the person very well. However, if there are few mourners present then sit nearer to the front. It does not matter which side of the 'aisle' you sit.
That is Matthew Magee, former Sullivan pupil (Class of 2003) and Private Secretary to Her Majesty. The former Sullivan pupil who is 7"2' walked in front of the hearse as it carried the coffin. Social media users were quick to spot him due to his height.