Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

Would you overtake a hearse?

55 replies

stickynote · 06/12/2004 12:22

I've just followed a hearse (with coffin on board) for about 3 miles along an A road. The limit is 50 and the hearse was going about 35.

I couldn't believe the number of cars struggling to get past the hearse. Are people really SO BUSY that they cannot spare 5 extra minutes to sit behind a hearse and show a bit of respect? Or am I out of touch and is this an acceptable thing to do? I know if someone had overtaken my Mum's hearse it would have finished me off Sad.

Interested to hear your views.

OP posts:
nailpolish · 06/12/2004 14:23

omg MI you must have been shtin yourself! funny though! Grin

motherinfestivemood · 06/12/2004 14:25

Yes, you can imagine that the minute we realised just why we'd been stuck in a queue - by which point it was a bit too damn late - we sped away at the toppest of top speeds we could manage.

nailpolish · 06/12/2004 14:27

still laughing in a 'glad it wasnt me' sort of way MI

sweetheart · 06/12/2004 14:28

If I died around Christmas - being a christmas nut I would still want everyone else to celebrate christmas so therefore I think the decorations are OK!!!

I'm one of those people that would want a huge party instead of a wake.

wrapmefestively · 06/12/2004 14:37

No I wouldn't, except in an emergency (if I was in labour for instance!)

ThomCatsAreNotJustForXmas · 06/12/2004 14:41

never, not in a million years.

If I see a herse go past I always bow my head and make the sign of the cross. I saw someone do it on the way to bury my nan and it touched me so much that I always do it now.

Wouldn't DREAm of overtaking a herse, most disrespectful and unnessecery.

Flumberrysauce · 06/12/2004 14:44

Never see any hearses, I think people live forever round here. Something in the Thames water no doubt.

My dads mate died and they drove his hearse at 100 down the M1 (he had requested it - praps he wanted his family to join him). Don't think they got a ticket though.

misdee · 06/12/2004 14:46

only an empty one.

but its respectful to wait isnt it? if i saw a herse coming round the roubdabout then i'd wait till they'd gone plus any obvious cars which are with them.

NomDePlumPudding · 06/12/2004 14:49

Both DH & I were hugely touched by a similar mark of respect on the way to family funerals too, TC. Mine on the way to my Nanna's funeral, and DH's on the way to his Dad's, on both occasions an elderly stranger walking along the pavement stopped, bowed his head and removed his hat when our funeral precession went past. It was such a simple yet meaningful gesture that these men had taken a minute out of their day to pay their respects to a bereaved family that they had never met.

xmascaroltygirl · 06/12/2004 14:56

I would always, always, stay behind a hearse and funeral procession for as far as it was going. Especially after seeing some unutterable w*nker TAILGATING in a procession once. Angry Angry Angry

Turkeyeater · 06/12/2004 14:56

Followed a horse-drawn hearse for miles last year, one old man, a single black horse and a coffin in a class sided carrige, it was like watching a film.
Sicily Grin

DingleAlltheWay · 06/12/2004 15:00

Only a few weeks ago,I was in one of the funeral cars following DH's nan who we have sadly lost. There were about 7/8 cars and we had to travel on a very busy 3/4lane A road (A2) for part of the journey. The other traffic were obviously overtaking as the road was "motorway conditions."
The thing that really annoyed us was the lack of thought and respect by several drivers on the roundabout, only minutes away from the crematorium. We were almust rambed into on the roundabout because of a idiot driver lack of foresight.

sparklymieow · 06/12/2004 22:35

I always follow behind and turn my music right down. It just repect for the dead. Recently one of our neighbours died and the hearse was outside the house with the other car behind. The family were outside looking at the hearse, and I had to go and get DS from school, I waited and waited, and in the end had to drive my car off the drive and go, but I felt terrible, that I had driven off, when a family was grieving :(

jingleballs · 06/12/2004 22:35

never, I always do the cross sign as well over my top half as a sign of respect.

Starofbethlibbhem · 06/12/2004 22:42

I would never overtake and I always stop if a procession is passing. I often walk through the churchyard to get to town and always stop if I happen to pass through as a funeral is going in. It takes bare moments to show a little respect and acknowledgement to the family.

sparklymieow · 06/12/2004 22:44

I felt so terrible the other week, please make me feel better, :(

misdee · 06/12/2004 22:45

was that Rol?

sparklymieow · 06/12/2004 22:48

no, it was the man 5 doors up

misdee · 06/12/2004 22:48

i'm sure they'd understand.

are they all going in your street?

JoolsTide · 06/12/2004 22:54

Overtake a hearse Shock - never, never, never - unless its empty Grin (sorry) Blush

kittyb · 06/12/2004 22:58

on the christmas decorations front, after dad died the undertakers sent a feedback questionaire to my mum. Can you believe that! It wasnt quite "would you use us to bury your next husband..." but it was totally inappropriate imo.

Festivepussy · 06/12/2004 23:03

OMG I knew this would be a thread to remember. I have LOL numerous times reading it. As I dont drive I cant comment!

JoolsTide · 06/12/2004 23:05

kitty Shock!

SueW · 06/12/2004 23:07

There's a cemetery in Nottingham close to a dual carriageway with 70mph limit.

From time to time, a horse-drawn hearse and procession travel along this dual carriageway. Thankfully I have only ever been travelling in the opposite direction when I've seen it.

leglepartridgeinapeartree · 06/12/2004 23:11

a few years ago, completely by mistake, i beeped at a hearse Blush I have never lived this down with dh. don't ask me how or why, i just made an error of judgement ....

Swipe left for the next trending thread