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Original poster

How fast can a hearse go?

31 replies

JumpLeadsForTwo · 15/04/2021 19:14

Random question I know, but just pondering (nothing to do with Prince P, or any family member) - what happens if you have a funeral service in one county and burial in another (eg if you had a burial plot but then moved house and attended a local church.) once the funeral is finished, can the hearse and chief mourners travel at speed limits on motorways or would you have to travel at the lowest safe speed? When DF died, he was brought back home in a private ambulance as he had died at quite a distance. I've certainly seen them at 70mph on the motorway.

OP posts:
Original poster
JumpLeadsForTwo · 15/04/2021 19:15

Google doesn't help - all info about speed limits on a funeral procession

OP posts:
RedcurrantPuff · 15/04/2021 19:15

I’m sure I’ve seen hearses driving at a normal motorway speed on the motorway

Umbivalent · 15/04/2021 19:18

Why would the hearse have to travel slowly, once the funeral is finished?

TheresNothingIWantMore · 15/04/2021 19:18

I googled "hurse for sale" and most of them seem to be based on a Jaguar xl350, which has a top speed of 155mph according to Google. I imagine they might be a bit slower as they must be heavier but I bet the can break 120mph without struggling!

raeroe · 15/04/2021 19:22

Both my grandparents funerals went on the motorway, I'm pretty sure they went faster but not up to 70, it was literally only 1-2 junctions though.

Original poster
JumpLeadsForTwo · 15/04/2021 19:23

@Umbivalent

Why would the hearse have to travel slowly, once the funeral is finished?
I've just never seen hearses with coffins on a motorway, so was wondering
OP posts:
SaintReatham · 15/04/2021 19:24

I might be wrong, but I remember when Princess Diana died, the hearse carrying her coffin back to Althorp moved at a respectful but motorway appropriate speed once it was out of London.

Original poster
JumpLeadsForTwo · 15/04/2021 19:25

@TheresNothingIWantMore

I googled "hurse for sale" and most of them seem to be based on a Jaguar xl350, which has a top speed of 155mph according to Google. I imagine they might be a bit slower as they must be heavier but I bet the can break 120mph without struggling!
That would be some speed!!
OP posts:
Original poster
JumpLeadsForTwo · 15/04/2021 19:26

@SaintReatham

I might be wrong, but I remember when Princess Diana died, the hearse carrying her coffin back to Althorp moved at a respectful but motorway appropriate speed once it was out of London.
I vaguely remember that - maybe they travel at 55-60?
OP posts:
Umbivalent · 15/04/2021 19:27

A hearse is just a car. There are no limits, aside from the speed limit, from how fast it can go.

hamptonedge · 15/04/2021 19:30

We traveled on a motorway for my dads funeral, due to traffic the hurst ended up behind the mourners car so they overtook us on the motorway- We could hear my dad giggling🤣🤣

Elderflower14 · 15/04/2021 19:35

My husband and I were running late for my great aunts funeral... We were in a hurry and suddenly came up behind the hearse.. I told my husband to overtake BlushHe on reflection sensibly refused. We crawled along until we came to the back drive of my dad's farm. We belted through the farm until we were on the back drive level with the hearse. Luckily there are two roads to the church. We went down the other road. We got there just before the hearse and belted up the church path similar to the beginning of Four Weddings! We went breathlessly through the door and were met with a firm stare from my Mum!!

AmandaHoldensLips · 15/04/2021 19:39

They can go like the clappers.

Original poster
JumpLeadsForTwo · 15/04/2021 19:39

@hamptonedge

We traveled on a motorway for my dads funeral, due to traffic the hurst ended up behind the mourners car so they overtook us on the motorway- We could hear my dad giggling🤣🤣
That's lovely to have a memory like that of such a sad day
OP posts:
denverRegina · 15/04/2021 19:40

"A hearse is just a car. There are no limits, aside from the speed limit, from how fast it can go."

Doubt your car is going at 1500 mph tbh 😂

peak2021 · 15/04/2021 19:41

OP have you an idea for a film script? Or a remake of the Benny Hill show?

Original poster
JumpLeadsForTwo · 15/04/2021 19:42

@denverRegina

"A hearse is just a car. There are no limits, aside from the speed limit, from how fast it can go."

Doubt your car is going at 1500 mph tbh 😂

I suppose it is the etiquette side I was wondering about - I've seen them go at full speed when empty, but with a coffin inside, do they need to go slower?
OP posts:
Original poster
JumpLeadsForTwo · 15/04/2021 19:42

@peak2021

OP have you an idea for a film script? Or a remake of the Benny Hill show?
I think *@elderflower14* has already suggested that!
OP posts:
PurBal · 15/04/2021 19:44

I think it's just respect. I was always told never to overtake a hearse.

topcat2014 · 15/04/2021 19:54

Top gear did a program with a jaguar hearse. It didn't hang around.

Elderflower14 · 15/04/2021 19:57

peak2021

OP have you an idea for a film script? Or a remake of the Benny Hill show?

I think @elderflower14 has already suggested that!
😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

Elieza · 15/04/2021 19:58

Some of them have like three litre engines. Although the vehicle is heavy that’s still a big engine.

Elieza · 15/04/2021 19:59

As in 3litre. Not three one litre engines ha ha Grin

Google the number plate of one of them on the government website to “check if a vehicles taxed” and it should tell you what it is and the engine size.

Bumpinthenight · 15/04/2021 20:05

For my Nan's funeral, we followed the hearse to the crematorium in the mourner's car. For the first 100 yards or so we were led by the funeral director who walked in front of the car. She got in and then we drove about 20mph through town. Once we got onto the country roads heading to the city we went at speed limit. When we approached the crem we reduced speed. Coming home was normal speed all the way.

I have also followed the hearse up onto the dual carriageway. Again, normal speeds. It is just the first bit and last bit that is slow.

StillNoFuckingEyeDeer · 15/04/2021 20:08

The hearse was running late for my aunts funeral. We followed the procession to the crematorium. We didn't slow anyone down - it was too important not to miss the slot!

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