taking a baby to a funeral - what do you do about the car?

[everybodysang]

My grandfather died yesterday. I don't yet know when his funeral is but I'm keen to go if I can. Unfortunately my family live in Glasgow and I live near Cambridge so it will mean a fairly last minute flight or train journey - only DP drives and he won't be able to come.
Providing I can afford the ticket, I will be there with my little one as she is ebf, so can't leave her behind. I'm not actually that worried about taking her to the funeral - I guess I could just stand at the back. My worry is that we will be in a funeral car, and I won't have her car seat with me (it could come on the plane or train if I bought an extra seat, but I can't actually carry it - too heavy!). I can't seem to find out if the laws applying to taxis and being able to carry babies unrestrained apply here. It seems like they are a private hire vehicle but don't have to be licensed as such so I'm not sure...
Nobody in my family drives, and nobody I know back home has a small baby so I will have to go in the funeral car and I won't be able to borrow a car seat.
Anyone got any experience of this?

Forgot to say - my baby is three months old.

I would imagine from a safety point of view it would be okay - funeral procession cars move very slowly and it would be unlikely for someone else to crash into one.

Can you not phone up a funeral company and ask? It doesn't have to be the same one.

Alternatively look on freecycle or ebay for a cheap/free car seat to borrow for the duration. Or use a carrycot if you have one? (I wouldn't use one normally but for this it would probably be ok)

How are you getting back from the funeral? It won't be going as slowly then, will it?

taxi firms often have car seats if you pre-book them

otherwise, maybe there's a MNer in Glasgow who could lend you one?

Can you borrow a pushchair frame that'll allow you to clip a carseat in so no carrying? Then if you fly, you can put the frame in the hold? Then ask air hostesses to have it ready for you when you land?

Also you can get taxis with carseats for babies so maybe use one instead of the funeral car?

I think you can have a baby unsecured but only if it's an emergency? Could be wrong.

I'm a Glasgow mn'er expecting dc 2 and have an infant car seat I could probably lend. I work in the city centre and drive to work. Send me a message if I can help.

Oh gosh, that's kind - my parents are meeting the funeral directors tomorrow and so I will know more. I will get in touch if I need your help! And I will update on what the funeral directors say so if any of you need to do something similar you will know what to do...

When I had to take my then 10 month old baby to my father in laws funeral the undertakers told us we had to provide the car seat to have her in their cars. Despite going slowly hearses are still driving on the open road and it's the law.They wouldn't have let her come in the car with us without one - think you may have to look into locating one.

Im on the west coast and could loan you one.

Thank you SO much to those of you who offered to lend me a car seat, and to everyone for your replies. So yes, you do need a car seat in a funeral car. I found a company near Glasgow who hire them out and they are going to deliver one to my parents over the weekend. Am very grateful for everyone's help. Now I just have to survive the train journey!

Not a problem, glad you got sorted and hope the funeral goes as well as these kind of things can.