Funeral Procession

[c330423]

Does anyone know if there are any rules or regulations to follow, put in place by lawmakers, when following or pulling over for a funeral procession? Majority of us do it out of respect and condolences for the deceased family. This has just been on my mind since my grandpa's funeral last friday. Almost everyone pulled over, stopped etc. for the procession but there we're a few vehicles that drove along beside us(on a 4 lane road thru town) and cut in front of the hurse(sp). I think it's one of those unspoken "rules" that we all follow out of respect, like taking off your hat during the pledge or during prayer. I am not judging those who choose to continue on when a funeral procession passes thru but I am very curious as to what, if any, the rules are. Both of my brothers are police officers so they followed in their patrol cars and there was another officer stopping traffic at an intersection so we could turn on to the road that the cemetery was on, but other than there wasn't any major disruption in the flow of traffic. Just curious if anyone has any info on this!

[matt_s]

There are rules on the books that require motorists to head the instructions of police who are directing traffic. So if somebody decides to arbitrarily jump in line at an intersection where a cop is holding up traffic so that the procession can navigate through, then that would be against the rules. Not too long ago, the state passed a rule regarding political protests at funerals of service men and women (frankly I thought it should have just been a blanket law instead of targeting only those who served). Those are the only rules I am aware of. But there could be more. I've always assumed that they were just the unwritten rules of the road for showing respect.

[james_t]

IC 9-21-13-1
Right-of-way at intersections; conditions; exceptions
Sec. 1. (a) A vehicle with lighted headlights in a funeral procession has the right-of-way at an intersection and may proceed through the intersection if the procession is headed by a lead or funeral escort vehicle displaying alternately flashing red and blue lights, except if either of the following conditions exist:
(1) When the right-of-way is required by an authorized emergency vehicle giving an audible signal.
(2) When the vehicles in procession are directed otherwise by a police officer.
(b) Before assuming the right-of-way, a person who drives a vehicle in the funeral procession must exercise due caution with regard to crossing traffic.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.236-2003, SEC.8.

IC 9-21-13-2
Driving between vehicles of a funeral procession; prohibition; exceptions
Sec. 2. A person who drives a vehicle that is not in a funeral procession may not drive the vehicle between the vehicles of the funeral procession, except when:
(1) authorized to do so by a traffic officer; or
(2) the vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle giving audible signal by siren.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.

http://www.ai.org/legislative/ic/code/title9/ar21/ch13.html

[c330423]

Thanks for the insight! I agree with the law banning protestors, there is a time and place to speak your mind at least give the family and friends one last time to mourn in peace. My grandfather was a WWII Navy Veteran and we had the color guard service and presentation of the flag at the funeral home because as the funeral director put it, the only Veterans doing the ceremony anymore can't do it at the grave site due to their old age and ability to carry the flags. That was very sad and disappointing to hear.

I hate to say it but I think the unspoken rules we have all followed throughout life are fading away.

[troublesome one]

Sad but true.

I was at an MLB game last week and there were numerous people who did not remove their caps during the National Anthem. Even people in their 40's who should know better.

It seems nobody takes their hats off in restaurants anymore either.

[james_t]

Courtesy has disappeared, I do not believe it will come back.

Somewhat related story:

A little over a year ago my family and I were eating at the Bullpen restaurant in Fremont. The only other folks there at the time were a fairly large group of senior citizens celebrating a 90th birthday party.

My middle son was seated on the end of the table closest to the door, so when the group got up and started to leave I told him to go over and hold the door open for them. He held the door for the entire group. When the last gentleman got to the door, he insisting on handing my son a $5 bill to reward him for showing such courtesy.

I told the boys the lesson is it pays to obey your dad. The side effect has been that if there is someone near us who needs a door opened, there is an immediate foot race between three boys to see who can get there first to hold it.

[LuciusBeebe]

I am not judging those who choose to continue on when a funeral procession passes thru

I am. They're jerks.

[matt_s]

Courtesy has disappeared, I do not believe it will come back.

Only if we allow it to remain gone. I for one, plan to raise my son to be respectful of others, hold doors, say please and thank you, and be generally courteous. I can't promise that it will survive beyond when he moves out on his on, but I'm going to start the habits now.

If we allow courtesy to die and simply sit back and think there is nothing we can do then we are fully to blame for it being gone. So long as we practice it and attempt to pass it along to our children it isn't dead. It may be in short supply, but there is no tombstone.

[NurseRita]

Courtesy has indeed gone by the wayside, for the most part anyway. I for one raised my children with the knowledge of courtesy. They in turn passed it on to their children. When I've had my grandchildren at the store with me I have never failed to receive compliments on how well mannered they are. Sure does make me proud!

[troublesome one]

Ditto for mine. I insist they hold doors open, wait for people to pass through breezeways, and offer to ehlp the elderly. I can only hope they carry it through to their children someday.

When they misbehave I'm reminded of what my maternal grandfather passed on to my mother about my siblings and me: "They can't be good all the time. Wouldn't you rather have them beahve when they're away from you?'.

As with Nurse Rita, it's the good behavoir in public and the occasional compliments you receive that do your heart good.

[LuciusBeebe]

I for one, plan to raise my son to be respectful of others, hold doors, say please and thank you, and be generally courteous.

Word life, son.

[Copycatted]

There are rules on the books that require motorists to head the instructions of police who are directing traffic. So if somebody decides to arbitrarily jump in line at an intersection where a cop is holding up traffic so that the procession can navigate through, then that would be against the rules. Not too long ago, the state passed a rule regarding political protests at funerals of service men and women (frankly I thought it should have just been a blanket law instead of targeting only those who served). Those are the only rules I am aware of. But there could be more. I've always assumed that they were just the unwritten rules of the road for showing respect.

I began this with a Vet friends funeral procession not to long ago and then later with an Uncle who also was a Vet but if you are one of those Drivers who do not pull over at least until the few first vehicles pass and I am in that procession whether they were Veterans OR NOT,I've an politics of funeral procession policy. I'll be the one "flying you an hand-gesture out the window" no matter who you are.

[denali]

I think that quite possibly some people do not know that they should pull over for a funeral procession if they were not taught that they may not know.
Leading by example goes a long way in teaching your children and teaching them that you are responsible for your own actions. Push your chair in when you get up from the table, clean your room, having chores to do at home, learning how to give to others financially and of themselves-should be part of their allowance rules, not calling a policeman a cop (teaching respect to authority). There should be different rules, like life rules, house rules, etc. and us knowing the difference. For example, a life rule is not to lie, a house rule is a curfew. We need to be careful that our children know that if they come home a 1/2 hour late they never break a life rule and lie to cover up a not so important house rule.

[Copycatted]

I think that quite possibly some people do not know that they should pull over for a funeral procession if they were not taught that they may not know.
Leading by example goes a long way in teaching your children and teaching them that you are responsible for your own actions. Push your chair in when you get up from the table, clean your room, having chores to do at home, learning how to give to others financially and of themselves-should be part of their allowance rules, not calling a policeman a cop (teaching respect to authority). There should be different rules, like life rules, house rules, etc. and us knowing the difference. For example, a life rule is not to lie, a house rule is a curfew. We need to be careful that our children know that if they come home a 1/2 hour late they never break a life rule and lie to cover up a not so important house rule.

Good one denali :) or when a teenager doesn't even make it home after curfew time that night for having been lodged at Crowbar Hotel because they learned lifes lesson when breaking the Law even as an minor,you play,you pay-double :):) when being able to tell it because I did it. Solitaire confiedment was no fun at all,escpecially the clanging of the cell doors for the last time.

[happygolucky]

Cars oncoming to a funeral procession do not have to pull over. If they cut off a hearse or the family procession it is against the law. Most of the hearse's have red/blue lights on the front of the car. Also all of the procession should have their headlamps on.

But gong back to be respectful you should pull over, turn down your music and respect the deceased. After all you would want them to do the same for you.

[Copycatted]

Cars oncoming to a funeral procession do not have to pull over. If they cut off a hearse or the family procession it is against the law. Most of the hearse's have red/blue lights on the front of the car. Also all of the procession should have their headlamps on.

But gong back to be respectful you should pull over, turn down your music and respect the deceased. After all you would want them to do the same for you.

I have never considered it an Law happygolucky but you got my attention to ask an question (of) what then is the difference between an Funeral Directors red and blue light and yellow lights that just represent caution?

I think the most of us were taught in Drivers Ed when you see a funeral procession with their headlights on and oncoming that was customary to pull over until all they with headlights on all passed by. Wonder what they're teaching OR NOT now?

And too once upon a time (I think it was more an conservitive issue) it was never customary to be driving around during daylight hours with your headlights on but now I think it is even standard or optional in some cars that your headlights comes on automaticly 24/7,even as I think it was a Law back in my Drivers Ed days for motorcycle Drivers to ride 24/7 with their headlights on. I think they still do that. But I suppose too that headlight manufacturers wouldn't mind it if all drove around with their headlights on 24/7.

I guess my whole point being as other posts have stated I suppose they emphasise in Drivers Ed these days the no legal need to pull over during a funeral procession and shrug off the respect part.

Maybe that other Law that should of blanketed ANYONES funeral goers has the right of their own private ways to not be disturbed will cause something to become of these other why nots. I believe whether its Protestors or Stalkers,including Media,should have to stay their distance.

That kind of came about when I too was curious of where Timothy McVeihs remains were taken after his execution in Southern IN of which BEFORE the execution Congress even stripped him of his G.I. Bill of Rights to be buried in ANY National Cemetary. But that curiosity soon passed and was sufficient for me to not care what was to happen next when McVeigh used his other legal rights and left up the legal wherabouts to his Attorney.

But my not caring what happened next goes to point I got from what I believe to have been from an reliable scource as to WHY they had two fake hearses to throw off Media that was on the curiosity prowl too,and a third hearse for real,that headed north right up 69 and got off at the U.S. 20 exit. Hmmmmm,having an curiosity peaker again :) of what/where after that but anyway when I was advised of the other I was told too that an Steuben County Funeral Directors service drew the so called short straw of being in charge of McViehs cremation...

But I am more curious about those red and blue lights that SOME kind of authority must of intended them to be somewhat more right than JUST an yellow caution light...

[armyda]

When I was growing up I don't remember seeing people driving the opposite way pulling over for a funeral procession. And actually I think you will find that if those cars do not completely clear the roadway when they pull over, the drivers are breaking the law.

[c330423]

So this is totally jumping off the funeral procession question but it touches on the use of emergency lights on vehicles. What about volunteer fireman with lights on the vehicles. I do, but is it a law, do pull over and let them pass when there lights are on? Are they allowed to go thru traffic like other emergency vehicles? What authority do they have when it comes to responding to a call? In alot of situations they are the first to respond especially in small towns.

[armyda]

By my reading it isn't the law in Indiana:

"IC 36-8-12-11
Blue lights on private vehicles; authorization; violations
Sec. 11. (a) Members of volunteer fire departments may display blue lights on their privately owned vehicles while en route to scenes of emergencies or to the fire station in the line of duty subject to the following conditions:
(1) A light must have a light source of at least thirty-five (35) watts.
(2) All lights must be placed on the:
(A) top of the vehicle;
(B) dashboard inside a vehicle, shielded to prevent distracting the driver; or
(C) front of the vehicle upon the bumper or at bumper level.
(3) No more than four (4) blue light assemblies may be displayed on one (1) vehicle, and each blue light assembly must be of the flashing or revolving type.
(4) A blue light assembly may contain multiple bulbs.
(5) A blue light may not be a part of the regular head lamps displayed on the vehicles. Alternately flashing head lamps may be used as a supplemental warning device. Strobe lights or flashers may be installed into the light fixtures on the vehicle other than the alternating head lamps. The strobe lights or flashers may be either white or blue, with the exception of red to the rear.
(b) In order for a volunteer firefighter to display a blue light on a vehicle, the volunteer firefighter must secure a written permit from the chief of the volunteer fire department to use the blue light and must carry the permit at all times when the blue light is displayed.
(c) A person who is not a member of a volunteer fire department may not display an illuminated blue light on a vehicle.
(d) A permittee of the owner of a vehicle lawfully equipped with a blue light may operate the vehicle only if the blue light is not illuminated.
(e) A person who violates subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) commits a Class C infraction. If the violator is a member of a volunteer fire department, the chief of the department shall discipline the violator under fire department rules and regulations.
(f) This section does not grant a vehicle displaying blue lights the right-of-way under IC 9-21-8-35 or exemption from traffic rules under IC 9-21-1-8. A driver of a vehicle displaying a blue light shall obey all traffic rules.
(g) This section shall not be construed to include a vehicle displaying a blue light and driven by a member of a volunteer fire department as an authorized emergency vehicle (as defined in IC 9-13-2-6).
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.64. Amended by P.L.88-1990, SEC.4; P.L.2-1991, SEC.108; P.L.99-1991, SEC.4; P.L.1-1999, SEC.96; P.L.6-2001, SEC.1; P.L.153-2002, SEC.2."

[Copycatted]

So this is totally jumping off the funeral procession question but it touches on the use of emergency lights on vehicles. What about volunteer fireman with lights on the vehicles. I do, but is it a law, do pull over and let them pass when there lights are on? Are they allowed to go thru traffic like other emergency vehicles? What authority do they have when it comes to responding to a call? In alot of situations they are the first to respond especially in small towns.

That too raises some questions but having grown up as my Dad was an 22 year Vet of an local Volunteer Fire Department as well what I have seen around such Communites when Fire Officials are called out. I'd say yes to all the above.

I know given all the newer stuff,allot of its bringing together of this Presidency in regards to all the various emergency personnel (even the Boy and Girl Scouts organizations under this opinion) of which there are far to many such groups/organisations to mention but can be found at either USA Freedom Corps or volunteer.gov or even the White House web site,but anyway that light question was posed in one of our CERT training classes and the answer was an big time NO (in regards if CERT members needed some sort of light).

An after thought was it would seem just simpily sufficient enough to use standard emergency four way flashers if ever deployed,something if seen by other Drivers should be just as cautious about as if an yellow flashing light. I mean I'll give yellow lighted vehichles some broad space whether in an work zone or a snow plow coming at me:)

Though it may not be right but all Drivers in an Funeral procession may not have their mind on driving but too I think there are OTHER safety reasons why oncomers should give an Funeral Procession some respect.

Say some risky Driver tries to make an quick left hand turn during a break in the processions traffic causing the oncoming car to be in an accident when that Driver had assumed? they had the right of way.

In fact such the scenario could EASILY cause a chain reaction of rear end collisions inside the Funeral procession itself. Imagine all the the havoc that would create just because some risky Driver thought they had the right to pay no regard to that oncoming vehicle that ONLY had their headlights on and assumed the red and blue lights flashing that they just passed meant absolutly nothing?

No,I'm sticking to my so called guns that an Funeral procession should be yielded from BOTH ways whether red and blue flashing lights or just blue flashing lights or just red flashing lights or even just white flashing lights because though they may vary from State to State there's one thing they all have in common from State to State which is they be flashing for an 911 reason(s).

[armyda]

That too raises some questions but having grown up as my Dad was an 22 year Vet of an local Volunteer Fire Department as well what I have seen around such Communites when Fire Officials are called out. I'd say yes to all the above.




By my reading it isn't the law in Indiana:

"IC 36-8-12-11
(f) This section does not grant a vehicle displaying blue lights the right-of-way under IC 9-21-8-35 or exemption from traffic rules under IC 9-21-1-8. A driver of a vehicle displaying a blue light shall obey all traffic rules."

What part of this was difficult to interpret?

[matt_s]

What part of this was difficult to interpret?

Might be the difference between the letter of the law and the application of the law. I had never seen the rule for Indiana prior to your post, but I've always treated them as emergency vehicles and gotten out of the way.

[Copycatted]

What part of this was difficult to interpret?

Just that part I didn't read armyda:)