Funeral Processions

I was just in town and saw a funeral procession pass by. Here in Tennessee when we see a funeral procession it is led by a police car and other officers block traffic to let the procession pass by. One thing that onlookers are expected to do is pull over and let them pass. If you refuse to do so it is considered very disrespectful. I was also told once that other states don't do this that this practice is predominantly a southern thing. Is that true? What do other areas do in a funeral procession?

Well Ive done a lot of traveling in the US and Canada and Id say Ive seen it more in the southern states.Although my father has always pulled over on either side of the road when a procession is passing by.Also Ive seen people walking stop and wait.It is a sign of respect and should always be done.

I was sharing with our bible group the fact that we are living in a bubble here in Tn...Here most folks still try to live simple godly lives and show respect for others and especially those who are in pain... Old folks are even honored here

You're in TN too? Whereabouts? I'm in southern middle.

Im in Northern middle Up around Crossville

I don't have a lot of experience with funeral processions, but here in the north, they are pretty well respected. I know, for my own parents, traffic was stopped and people respected the procession, but they were in rural northern Wisconsin -- not much traffic.

Just a nice gesture of compassion. I hope it never dies.

In a funeral procession, like you said, it is led by a police car.. All the vehicles in the procession are to turn on their 4-way blinkers and their headlights. This lets onlookers and other motorists know that they are part of the procession.. If the procession goes through a green light, all other traffic is supposed to stop and let the entire procession go through the light, even if the light turns red before the entire procession has gone through. Other motorists are supposed to stop and pull over when they see a procession led by a police car. Just as people are supposed to stop and pull over to let fire trucks and ambulances come through.

I have both seen, AND been in many funeral processions. This is how it's done in Vermont..