Overtaking funerals

[Owllady]

Please don't do it. You just look like a twatty twat
Overtaking a hearse reversing into the churchyard whilst the family watch on. Biggest nobber in nobsville
I'm glad that's sorted

That's a lovely thing to do MrsDeVere :) All the best for Wednesday. Birthdays are hard .

Sexdrugsandsausageroll, I really wish they wouldn't so readily issue DNA (did not attend) for lateness. I was once given one for my daughter for being fifteen minutes late and the hospital we have to attend is an hour or so away, in another county - so I do understand. I just fail to acknowledge all four of these cars had any pressing engagements. It was literally thirty seconds it took for the hearse to reverse into the yard.

My brother's funeral is a week on Monday. I'd like to think people will be respectful towards the cortege. It's going to be hard enough as it is. Db was the kindest most considerate man ever. I'd be horrified if he couldn't be shown some respect on his final journey.

Thanks for the link Missy. It still doesn't answer my questions though...

Why do corteges drive so slowly?
Why is it considered disrespectul to overtake slow cortages?
Why is it considered respectful for pedestrians to stop what they are doing?

I just wonder how these rituals originate (maybe religion?), how old they are, and why we still do them. I find so many rituals really hard to understand, even though I abide by them when in company so not to upset anyone.

Whata - I asked the question up thread and have done some googling since. It seems to come from wishing to show status in the local society, as in the person who dies was important enough to stop for. It is seeking attention and empathy for what they are going through. I'm one who finds the slowness difficult to understand and can't empathise much as I wouldn't want that attention when I'm alive, let alone dead, wouldn't want attention as a mourner and hope I am important to my nearest and dearest, but to wider society - nah.

Sadly, locally a child died and a slow procession was appropriate because lots of children and parents from school wanted to line the route to show respect whilst leaving the service to the family. Same when a royal dies and lots want to line the route.

It is 'worse' in the US as it seems excepted for the procession to run red lights (albeit slowly)

Thanks Silverduck. I've been Googling too; found lots of "it's disrespectful to overtake", but no answers about why and why they drive so slowly, so glad you found something It does go some way to explaining why it bugs me too, because it's history is about status and the plebs being subservient. It all stinks of "You must behave this way", "Why?", "Because I said so and I'm more important than you".

Whata - I totally agree. The only thing that makes me waver is the tales on this thread of the upset overtaking caused some grievers. I wouldn't want to do that to someone, but equally am erring on the side of thinking this practice belongs in the past, and if they didn't have the slow convey then the potential for upset is removed?

Undertakers are not helping here because the slowness makes them more cash of course - more of their time taken up and they might get an extra person employed to walk in front.

punkrocker I am so sorry to hear about your brother. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time.

Thanks Missy

Punkrocker :(