Funerals in North Carolina ... AVA Rally be warned!

[NSASarge]

A couple years ago, Deb and I were out on an afternoon ride. We usually head off in one direction for a certain amount of time, then head for home a different way. As we rode along we approached a stale red light. Speed limit was 55 mph. It turned green a good 5-8 seconds before we got to it. Instinctively I slowed down not being familiar with the area. About the time I passed the intersection sign, a string of cars passed through a very red light. I hauled it in and stopped in time to watch several more cars blow through the red light! WTF! ! ! Come to find out, it was a funeral procession and apparently there was no police escort to block side traffic. So, we waited till it was abundantly obvious that the procession had finally passed and cars began to obey the traffic signal. I had to stop at the next gas station, grab a soda, visit the lil' sergeants room and walk around a while. I still think about it and what could have happened. What would the TV stations, police, insurance and general public say about this?!? Well, I called my insurance company and they said they would go with whatever the police said. The police said that "...funerals have right of way and all traffic must stop." In this example, there SHOULD have been a police escort to block side traffic. However, if it is a divided highway or road, you do not have to stop. You will see some stop anyway and the driver will get out and place their hand or hat over their heart. Also, you cannot pass or overtake a moving funeral procession. So, how would I have known until it was too late? It's a scary thing to think about and it still bothers me.

[Lucasind]

I'm with you on that one ! that's a FINE line to walk ! Here in Toledo, I've
NEVER seen a police escort for a funeral (for us common folk) )
This "maybe situation" is one for the endless yellow pages of attorneys to
figure out. ......ride safe !................................tony

[Mr Jensee]

I am unaware of the specific laws of North Carolina but in Louisiana a funeral MUST be preceded by police escort. If for any reason there is no police escort in that state the law is pretty specific that IF you do not stop at a red light and proceed through that intersection and are hit, then YOU are at fault. Funeral homes in this state do not want to be liable for someone being injured or dying from an accident during a funeral procession. I would never use one that did. I would contact the legislature of that state if no law exists to correct this immediately. FYI, just another reason to consider cremation over burials. IMHO.

[Kevin B in Illinois]

In Illinois as my son's casket was being carried by one of our firetrucks with full lights flashing and a squad car in front of the firetruck with lights flashing, I dealt with idiots in trucks and cars not pulling over as the procession went to the cemetery. At one point I wanted to drive my vehicle into several idiots in company trucks that refused to pull out of the way. My brothers on the fire department had told me It's my truck to drive if I wanted to on the pumper and if I had been in the truck , several vehicles would have figured out to give way. Overall it pays to just be heads up to this and be careful if cars are coming through an intersection in a funeral procession ( a lot of the local funeral homes have a rear escort vehicle with wigway and flashing lights as well as the front vehicles having the same. Just my thoughts on this pre Memorial day weekend evening.

Kevin Braddy
in Southern Illinois

[NSASarge]

.... FYI, just another reason to consider cremation over burials. IMHO.

Deb and I are going to be cremated and put in the same urn. Told our kids all that is needed is a post hole digger.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

That makes economical sense, from a Scotsman point of view!
I had an uncle who always said "when I die just shove a ham bone up my a$$ and let an old dog drag me into the woods!" Funny thing is when he passed away 3 years ago my aunt failed to follow his wishes. I at least thought a bone in his casket would have been appropriate!

[tinsailor]

I didn't know thats the way they did things in N.C. Here in Tennessee, at least in my Co. they always have a Sheriffs Deputy escort