Funeral white rolls Royces

[Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain]

Just on bus going past a huge funeral with what looks like 10 rolls Royces in attendance plus a white horse drawn carriage. Must be a big one eh?

I just checked with Google ask anything
And it gave the correct answer

Exactly, to me funeral cars are usually black.

I'd have assumed that very showy funeral = celebrity and been curious. I genuinely didn't know that white funerals indicate a child. Perhaps that makes me lucky.

I was just a bit surprised. I’ve seen a horse drawn carriage with a child’s coffin going into West Norwood cemetery (that was really upsetting), I’ve honestly rarely seen white cars for a funeral. I’m upset to be honest as it’s a child who’s died. That’s very sad.

I'm guessing those that didn't know are younger than I am.
Ask the elders in your family.
I'd be surprised if most didn't know.

Given the context this thread is inappropriate and should be removed.

That’s it, I thought maybe celebrity. I’ve heard of white coffins for a child but not white cars.

Why is it inappropriate?

Well I'm 60 and didn't have a clue about white = child so there you go, you are wrong

I'm not sure what else Must be a big one eh? implies,

Why is it inappropriate? Ive learnt something today as clearly a few other posters have so that's a good thing surely?

Yes, and white ones, like white coffins, usually imply a child or a very young person has died.

I've never been to a child's funeral so not something I have thought about before.

I did notice white coffins in the undertakers coffin catalogue last time I was arranging a funeral for a relative though but never made the connection.

I am right
And you are making assumptions

I didn’t realise that, no. Ive lived in England & Wales all my life, Catholic and have been to the funeral of more than 1 child. I have learnt something today.

I work in the bereavement sector. While white is often used for children, it isn't only used for children and young people. Anyone can have any colour they want.

Not so long go I was sitting outside a pub in Tooting (SW17) waiting for my Covid appt. jab in the church hall opposite, when a whole ‘Victorian’ funeral cortège went past, a hearse pulled by black horses with black plumes on their heads, funeral attendants in frock coats and top hats walking soberly in front.

Fascinating! - a thing I never thought I’d see in this day and age.

My last in response to Thecows
comment above.

Well this is interesting sociologically.
And rather surprising to me.

Well, while I wouldn't say that horse-drawn hearses are exactly common, they certainly exist in enough numbers for me to have seen one on maybe four of five different occasions, mostly when welived on a main road in north London, once in Ireland. (Definitely not a Traveller funeral in the latter case -- I vaguely knew the (titled) family.

As I said above, the slightly prurient 'Must be a big one eh?' and your assumption that this was a celebrity funeral is in poor taste when this is an ordinary family going through the worst day of their lives.

Horse-drawn hearses are not uncommon in our part of SE London. Very striking.

no one except you said anything about gangsters 🤔

No. First I've heard of this and I'm over 50.

Over 50 here too, and never seen or heard of white being significant.