Funeral processions and right of way,specifically the opposite way?

I watched a funeral procession outside my work go by today. And the people that stopped that were going the opposite direction. ...and the angry people that went around them.

For Ohio the only laws I can find are about same direction and cross traffic. I totally get that. But nothing about having to stop if you're going the other way. I posted this question on Facebook at lunch, and so far it's sparked a lively debate of respect vs lawfulness.

Do you stop if you're going the other way? Should I really feel disrespectful if I continue on my merry way at a reasonable speed? (Because I don't)

I stop and remove my hat. Southern decorum.

I'm from Ohio and always stop, even if I'm going the opposite direction, to show my respects. I've had people honk and go by while giving me the finger. That's fine. I wouldn't feel bad about it.

I DO NOT stop if going the opposite way.

I am that pissed off person behind you.

Pull over if you want to show your respect but also respect those that are still alive behind you.

I have never in my life seen a funeral procession.I lived half a mile from a big cemetery for 10 years too. Is this a common regional thing?

The only reason I ask is that this topic has come up here before.

I don't stop going the opposite way, never seen that done before

They're rare to see in a big country, but I see them a lot around here because there are only so many roads you can drive on...

I tip my hat and say God Bless.

+1 on the stopping and taking off your hat. Also, especially in the summer with the windows down, I silence the radio. I've been told it's a southern way of showing respect, but it's just how I grew up so I never really thought much about it.

Yeah, I would never stop if I was going the opposite way, unless they were turning across my lane. But I would get off the throttle and turn the music down.

I stop, I hadn't thought about it possibly being a Southern thing like TRoglodyte mentions, but I'm a Southerner, manners were beat into me. I stop for funerals, remove my hat if wearing one before sitting at the dinner table, say yes/no ma'am and sir regardless of age, say thank you, bless you if you sneeze, hold doors for folks, I open SWMBO's door if I'm driving 90% of the time, and often get her door even when she's driving.

After spending 3+ years in the Columbus, OH area I notice things are different, not necessarily bad, but different. I literally got scolded for saying "yes ma'am" to female customers when I was a service advisor, apparently they thought I was calling them old. Having someone hold the door for you was a rarity, and whenever I did it folks looked at me funny.

I stop for funeral processions everywhere more out of respect and reverence for those in the procession than any possible law. I was part of a funeral procession just this past Friday, the trip from the funeral home to the cemetery was about 10 miles, we had police escorts at intersections, and we met at least 150 vehicles and all but 1 stopped and pulled onto the shoulder. The only one that didn't was a Dish Network van, I have loathed Dish Network long before this, and that was just another nail in their coffin for me.

So yes I stop, but should you feel bad? That's your call, I would.

First when I moved to the States 20 years ago I was stunned that the whole world is supposed to stop for someone else’s funeral. Back in the UK you leave the service and get a map. Simple, the world doesn't revolve around the deceased. I'm used to it now, but I berkeleyed up in Chicago the other week. Here in Michigan the cars all get little orange flags which are easy to see and you immediately know what's going on so you sit and wait patiently, no problem. But in Illinois they apparently don't use the little flags, instead they have little orange stickers in the side window, which at first I completely missed. So when cars started streaming through a red light I thought WTF and hit the horn. My wife also couldn't figure out what the deal was. Luckily we had a local in the car with us who pointed out it was a funeral procession. Damn I felt ashamed, but honestly I had no idea. Illinois, please get little flags instead of stickers next time

I've never seen or heard of stopping for a funeral procession going the other way. Location: Coal Cracker Country (NEPA)

I pull over or at least slow down. Take off a hat if I am wearing one (rarely) and hold a button on my shirt as some sort of old wives' tale. I'm also southern if it matters.

In reply to Adrian_Thompson:

Most folks around here just turn their hazard lights (flashers) on, I've left some funerals where mortuary/funeral home staff come around and make sure everyone has their hazards on before we head out.

Around here the funeral procession just puts their headlights on in the day time (JDM cars, no DRLs here). If you wanted to be a dick you could put your lights on and trail one to get through traffic.

I once slipstreamed a bus full of VIPs getting a police escort between hotels, there were only cops in the front of the convoy. Didn't feel any guilt exploiting a service offered to people too important to wait in traffic like the rest of us. Usually there are sports teams or politicians in there. Those buses were clockin'!

I stop and remove my hat. Southern decorum.

You will never know how much that meant to me when my Granny passed, yes I live in the South.

I don't stop. I MAY slow down...

I'll even pass the procession if I am going the same way. But in the same breath the cops that lead the procession typically lead the procession in the lane they need to get into the cemetery. So if they have to make a left turn ahead, straight out of the church/funeral home, they are in the left lane leaving the right lane open.

I've never passed a funeral procession on the street. So...???

Duke wrote: Yeah, I would never stop if I was going the opposite way, unless they were turning across my lane. But I would get off the throttle and turn the music down.

This is my SOP for the situation. Slow down and quiet down. I feel like stopping can potentially create too many problems.

PubBurgers wrote:

Duke wrote: Yeah, I would never stop if I was going the opposite way, unless they were turning across my lane. But I would get off the throttle and turn the music down.

This is my SOP for the situation. Slow down and quiet down. I feel like stopping can potentially create too many problems.

Agreed. I might slow down, depending on where I am. Turn down any music. But stop? No, impeding traffic and possibly causing an accident behind me doesn't seem the right answer.

Around here the local LEOs say don't have to stop. They also have stopped providing escorts. I try to stop if meeting a procession on a two lane road. I passed one going in the same direction on the interstate one day and felt bad about it.

30ish years ago we were in the funeral procession of one of my aunts in Luthersville, GA. The course was 15-20 miles long on back roads. Everybody stopped, some put their hand over their hearts and some took their hats off. It was greatly appreciated, becasue these people had no idea who this fine lady was.

Jumper K. Balls wrote: I have never in my life seen a funeral procession.I lived half a mile from a big cemetery for 10 years too. Is this a common regional thing? The only reason I ask is that this topic has come up here before.

I thought it was a nationwide thing, everybody at the funeral going to the burial follows the hearse, you get a orange flag for your car. Maybe you lived on the side of the cemetery opposite of all the funeral parlors?

born and raised in the south … I don't stop if I'm going the other direction … and if it's a 4 lane (or more) highway I don't stop as I approach from the rear … can't tell that it's a funeral procession until I reach the hearse

I do stop for cross traffic, mainly because the cars continue to pass (red light or not) .. but if the procession is so long that they've spread out, and I don't realize that it's a funeral procession, I'll cross when I have the green light …

used to you could tell because of the head lights being on … now with daytime driving lights you wouldn't know it was a procession

etifosi wrote: I've never seen or heard of stopping for a funeral procession going the other way. Location: Coal Cracker Country (NEPA)

I'm with you, never heard of it unless your letting them through a red light or whatnot.

Midwest has many southern values, 99% of the people stop and wait. Who gives a flying berkeley about 2 minutes of waiting.