Funeral Processions - Where's the respect?

Sadly we are witnessing and reading about lack of respect by drivers when they are near a funeral procession.

In NSW, you must not drive negligently or wilfully interfere with, or interrupt, the free passage along the road of any funeral cortege or authorised procession nor  interfere with any vehicle or person apparently forming part of the funeral or procession. It is an offence and you could be fined.

The Ballarat Courier newspaper reported this month of funeral conductors being clipped by cars overtaking the cortege, people speeding through intersections to beat a procession or cutting off grieving family in cars following the hearse.

Funeral Celebrant Association Australia member, Ron Egeberg, was quoted in the article:

Ballarat civil celebrant Ron Egeberg has repeatedly made his disgust for what he says is "total rudeness and "disrespect" for funeral corteges, predominantly with motorists trying to overtake hearses or pedestrians ignoring a procession.

"We will all experience this at some stage in life, whether it is a loved one or us in the back of the hearse," he said.

Let’s show respect for the deceased and their loved ones; let’s slow down and arrive safely and let’s ensure that we ensure that our family and friends know to show respect for funeral processions.

To read the full article, go here.