I am by nature a fashionably late human. I was told from far too young an age that I would be late for my own funeral. So if a funeral procession happens by, I can’t be mad. It isn’t making me late, I already did that with my piss poor time management. I have been in my fair share of funeral processions in my life, some gloriously long, indicating the well deserved tribute my decedent earned, some deservedly truncated, ‘nuff said. I have also been waylaid by processions for strangers and have done the oh fuckity fuck fidget dance because, as I have mentioned previously, my piss poor time management. I do hate it when people cut into the processions, whether or not they are ones I am in or ones I am stuck waiting to pass. It is a dangerous practice as some cousins of mine can attest. They were Tboned while driving in another cousin’s cortege. It was not fatal, thank goodness, but left one cousin with lifelong back troubles. All of this to say, I am alright with the idea that we can be slightly impositioned by some poor dead guy’s last hurrah. But I can certainly see how it can be an annoyance. My feeling is it sure as shit beats being the guy in the casket.
mixed feelings.. I feel when the hearse and immediate family (usually limo? ) goes by yes pull over and wait.. after.. ehh.. unless it's a service member... my personal opinion.. we were recently in a procession going to the marina - special needs fishing trip - and I felt foolish driving in it
I hate everything about traditional American funerals. Let's make a grieving family stand and be games at for hours then preach to a captive audience. Then procession and cemetery. Then sometimes a dinner. like dude... Don't make me. PS out and the preaching always targets us unbelievers in my in-laws family. We have walked out of 3 services in the last decade because of targeting either us (unreligious) or hubs Jewish aunts family.... It's all just making me pissy.
Slight tangent. I knew a guy in high school who was way into motorcycles. This was in early 70s. All he would talk about was motorcycles. I didn’t see him after graduation until 10 year reunion cause that’s how it worked back then. When I asked him what he was doing he told me he drove a motorcycle for funeral processions to stop traffic at intersections. Like the most perfect job in the world for a guy like him. So think about all the dudes you would put out of work who were living their dream if you got rid of funeral processions.
My Granny's funeral (back in 2005) went from Turner's on Hwy 58 to Hamilton Memorial on 153. My stepdad is a (now retired) cop, so we had poice escorts. I saw about 3 cars get pulled over because they didn't stop for us. That made me smile. And my Mom's 2 years later was talked about on Talk Radio because people were late to work, etc.
So, those are happy memories for me.
But overall? It's respectful, but I'd be down to change it.
Also: I fully agree that doing things just cause that’s how it’s always been done is not cool. But also not inherently evil? Fuck. This is a tough one.
So. When my dad died, all his motorcycle buddies came to the funeral. We made sure to have the funeral on a Saturday so they specifically could come. And early enough that everybody could watch the Razorbacks football game that afternoon. But the procession--including 30 or so bikes-- went through every single major traffic light in town. At the time I thought it was fitting: everyone else got a small taste of the suffering I was experiencing. But now? I dunno man. There’s definitely a poem in the experience--from both sides--but I feel like this is some ancient practice that crack through into the modern day. And maybe that ain’t a bad thing? Maybe.
I am by nature a fashionably late human. I was told from far too young an age that I would be late for my own funeral. So if a funeral procession happens by, I can’t be mad. It isn’t making me late, I already did that with my piss poor time management. I have been in my fair share of funeral processions in my life, some gloriously long, indicating the well deserved tribute my decedent earned, some deservedly truncated, ‘nuff said. I have also been waylaid by processions for strangers and have done the oh fuckity fuck fidget dance because, as I have mentioned previously, my piss poor time management. I do hate it when people cut into the processions, whether or not they are ones I am in or ones I am stuck waiting to pass. It is a dangerous practice as some cousins of mine can attest. They were Tboned while driving in another cousin’s cortege. It was not fatal, thank goodness, but left one cousin with lifelong back troubles. All of this to say, I am alright with the idea that we can be slightly impositioned by some poor dead guy’s last hurrah. But I can certainly see how it can be an annoyance. My feeling is it sure as shit beats being the guy in the casket.
mixed feelings.. I feel when the hearse and immediate family (usually limo? ) goes by yes pull over and wait.. after.. ehh.. unless it's a service member... my personal opinion.. we were recently in a procession going to the marina - special needs fishing trip - and I felt foolish driving in it
I am behind you 100%! Funeral processions must go. You have me rolling! I so needed this man!
Funeral traditions in general are pretty bs imho.
I hate everything about traditional American funerals. Let's make a grieving family stand and be games at for hours then preach to a captive audience. Then procession and cemetery. Then sometimes a dinner. like dude... Don't make me. PS out and the preaching always targets us unbelievers in my in-laws family. We have walked out of 3 services in the last decade because of targeting either us (unreligious) or hubs Jewish aunts family.... It's all just making me pissy.
The elbows on the table thing is so ingrained in me. I’m a grown ass woman and I still won’t. I’m afraid of my mothers wrath and she’s passed
Slight tangent. I knew a guy in high school who was way into motorcycles. This was in early 70s. All he would talk about was motorcycles. I didn’t see him after graduation until 10 year reunion cause that’s how it worked back then. When I asked him what he was doing he told me he drove a motorcycle for funeral processions to stop traffic at intersections. Like the most perfect job in the world for a guy like him. So think about all the dudes you would put out of work who were living their dream if you got rid of funeral processions.
I hear you. But, people die when they die, and that’s their prerogative.
If it’s a loved one, I would want people to honor my loss.
In Japan, when a train is late, you’ll get a legit receipt saying “the train was late, don’t dock me.”
Maybe we should have a receipt for funeral processions
My Granny's funeral (back in 2005) went from Turner's on Hwy 58 to Hamilton Memorial on 153. My stepdad is a (now retired) cop, so we had poice escorts. I saw about 3 cars get pulled over because they didn't stop for us. That made me smile. And my Mom's 2 years later was talked about on Talk Radio because people were late to work, etc.
So, those are happy memories for me.
But overall? It's respectful, but I'd be down to change it.
Funerals in general are awful. Give me a memorial and then a life snuffed out can be celebrated properly. Usually with a party.
Also: I fully agree that doing things just cause that’s how it’s always been done is not cool. But also not inherently evil? Fuck. This is a tough one.
So. When my dad died, all his motorcycle buddies came to the funeral. We made sure to have the funeral on a Saturday so they specifically could come. And early enough that everybody could watch the Razorbacks football game that afternoon. But the procession--including 30 or so bikes-- went through every single major traffic light in town. At the time I thought it was fitting: everyone else got a small taste of the suffering I was experiencing. But now? I dunno man. There’s definitely a poem in the experience--from both sides--but I feel like this is some ancient practice that crack through into the modern day. And maybe that ain’t a bad thing? Maybe.
I definitely thought you were asking whether or not you just randomly join in a funeral procession to get through traffic.
I live on the same street as 2 funeral homes. I feel your pain.
It happens every year.
I believe that's the toys for tots motorcycle ride.