Steven Bell says this is someone’s final journey and people need to think
A funeral director says a new trend being seen “more and more” is “heartbreaking”. Steven Bell Funerals has taken to social media after spotting a change in the way people behave.
Posting on Facebook, the Hartlepool-based funeral director says many motorists are no longer giving respect to the cortèges as would have happened in the past. Instead, they try to nip in partway through the other vehicles, nearly causing an accident as they go.
They said: “It’s heartbreaking how true this has become. Lately, we’ve been seeing more and more impatient drivers trying to squeeze into funeral cortèges, slipping between the hearse and the limousines carrying grieving family members, and even doing the same during our horse-drawn funerals.
“Some of these moments have been so careless that they’ve almost caused accidents, all because someone is desperate to cut through or jump ahead. I know we travel slowly, but this is a person’s final journey, and that deserves respect.
“If it delays you by 30 seconds, a minute, or even two, please take a moment to think about the person who has passed and the loved ones following behind. A final journey should always be treated with care and respect.”
People agreed with the post with many saying how they had been taught to show respect. Dee said: “When I was young respect was given, you see a funeral coming towards you you stood at the side of the road and bowed your head as the hurst passed, just as you seen your parents grandparents and strangers on the street do, men also removed there hats bowed their heads, respect was given to those passed and the family grieving, I’m not that old.”
Terry said: “I was taught to slow stop let them past, bow your head. I even turn the radio off, it could be us one day, respect goes a very long way.” Kay agreed saying: “Respect for the deceased and their loved ones should always come first. I bow my head whenever I see a hearse when I’m driving.”
Sarah added: “This boils my blood, please just wait patiently these people are going through the worst time in their lives! I always stop and let hearse’s and cars out if they are waiting at a junction to get out and dont care if anyone beeps at me for doing it.Have some respect.”
Some said they had witnessed incidents. Leona said: “I stopped to allow a cortège out of a road. They were turning right. I had a red light up front of me.
“Well the people hooting behind me was ridiculous but the more they hooted the more determined I was to allow ALL the cars to get out.! I know what it’s like to get split up from one.”
Dash said: “So true mate seen it so many times I blocked one road with beacons going to let them all out but still trying to get past, didn’t because I jumped out and said a few nice things.”
However Jamiel disagreed saying: “This is very sad, and of course the deceased deserves dignity and respect. However, there is a difference between driving respectfully and causing unnecessary disruption on the roads.
“There is slow driving, and then there are hearses moving at a pace that effectively brings traffic to a halt often during peak rush hour times. Choosing those moments inevitably affects other road users, many of whom are trying to get children to school on time or reach work punctually. For some people, a delay of even one or two minutes can genuinely make the difference between keeping a job or facing consequences. I’ve been in that position myself.
“If the intention is to provide a slow, private and respectful journey, it would make far more sense to carry out such processions overnight or outside peak travel hours, when they can take place without placing unnecessary strain on others.
“Respect for the dead is important but respect should work both ways. Hearses, like all road users, also have a responsibility to be mindful of the wider public who share the roads every day.”
But another little-known clue was shared that could help people if they knew about it. James said: “I never knew until I helped organise a funeral a couple of years ago that the cars in a funeral cortège will all have their lights on.
“If this was more widely known, I feel like more people would understand and behave appropriately. That said, the standards of driving over the last few years and people’s respect for others have diminished beyond all recognition.”
