Is it OK to pass a funeral procession?

Question

Today, i was on a 4 lane highway (two lanes for each direction of traffic) and there was a funeral procession. They were in the right lane going like 35 mph, and everyone else was passing them going like 55 or 60...so i did too. Is that ok?

Answer 1

Yes it is.

You cannot interfere with a funeral procession. An example of interfering would be getting in between two vehicles.

Passing it is not considered interfering, and is perfectly legal.

Answer 2

NO, police will pull you over and will at least ticket you. This happened during one of my relatives funerals, They pulled over the guy and made him stand on the side of the road on his knees praying.

Answer 3

Yes its ok but just remember they have the right away but you can pass them

Answer 4

there is nothing saying you cant overtake a funeral possesion if  safe to do so  and  your advance is clear & stay to motorway speeds .

  but it would be a  sign of respect not too

Answer 5

I don't know about other states, but it TN it is customary to pull over, but it is not illegal to pass a funeral procession, provided you are not breaking any laws to do so.

Some would say it is disrespectful, but funeral processions can go on for several miles and there is no *sensible* reason that they should cause a traffic jam.

Not everyone has the same views on death and if you were close to the deceased, you'd be in the funeral procession yourself.

For me, what is in the coffin is an empty shell, not a person, so not slowing or stopping for them is not offensive or disrespectful.  The deceased has moved on.

I would however, stop to pay my respects in some situations. For example; a police officer or soldier that has lost their life in service, but I would be honoring the life that they had given and it is a personal point of view.  I certainly wouldn't get upset at anyone that didn't do so and I wouldn't stop traffic to do it.

One final thought for those that think that everyone should slow down or stop:

Slowing down for a funeral procession can block traffic.  Somewhere in that traffic may be an emergency vehicle that needs to get to somewhere else to save another life.  A slight delay can be the difference between life or death.

I think that whether or not you slow down for a funeral procession is a personal choice, but if you should choose to do so, show some respect for the living that do not share your views and get out of the flow of traffic.

Answer 6

I think that it is ok to pass on a divided highway.. but, chances are a processional would take less than 5 minutes to pass by, so  why not show a little respect to the family , pull over and wait to few minutes.

Someday when you are the family of the deceased you will understand what it means just to have someone show a little respect.  

It only takes just a few minutes....say a prayer for them...they are grieving and hurt for their loss.

Answer 7

It's a pretty disrespectful thing for the family.

In Michigan you could be ticketed for that.

Think about if it was one of your family members -

You'd be pretty mad too.

Answer 8

it is ok to pass, just as long as you didn't run a red light and didn't go to far over the speed limit(which you didn't mention what it was) when you passed

I'm from michigan, I've never heard of getting a ticket for passing a funeral procession, and i have friends that are state troopers

Answer 9

HEY, they get to go through all red lights. That's good enough.

They shouldn't expect all commuters to stay behind them too.

The guy/gal in the hearse can't hear the passing cars anyway.

Answer 10

yeah as long as you weren't disruptive

Answer 11

yes, as long as you didn't separate the procession.

Answer 12

only if you think it's ok. I personally don't.

Answer 13

yes.

Answer 14

Depending on what state you live would depend on what there laws are in respect to a funeral procession.

Normally it is very disrespectful to pass or inturupt a funeral on a single lane highway or road.. If it is more than one lane they usually proceed in the farthest right hand lane to allow traffic to still flow. It is best though to maintain a slower speed while going by the procession..In my state funerals are escorted and processions are kept in right lanes because the amount of traffic on all roads so drivers can still drive unless on a single lane road then it is blocked to traffic until the funeral procession has passed. If you interupt the procession you will get a fine..