Fed-up funeral directors have asked motorists to show respect and dignity when passing by the processions.
William Barrett and Sons, from Bunbury in Western Australia’s south-west, took to social media this week to call out impatient drivers after a series of disrespectful incidents.
The hall’s “important plea” urged drivers to “slow down and… show consideration for the life” they are honoring during a funeral procession.
Funeral directors said they experience “frustrating acts of impatience on our roads on a daily basis.”
“Too often, cars speed up, overtake, pull out or merge into funeral trains and carriages,” the Facebook post said.
‘(And) disrupt the solemnity of the funeral procession and break that important line of sight between the deceased and their loved ones.
‘This is a social trend that is far removed from the traditions of the past and needs to be challenged!’
The message also urged drivers to slow down and allow grieving relatives to travel together in the procession “in peace.”
Western Australian funeral home William Barrett and Sons (pictured) has asked drivers to be more respectful of funeral processions after a series of disrespectful incidents.
William Barrett and Sons also called on those who teach driving to convey “respect for the tradition of courtship”.
Taryn Barrett, the salon’s community relations officer, said impatient drivers were becoming an increasing problem and it was not uncommon to see them several times a week.
A procession last Saturday was interrupted by a rude driver who honked his horn and drove between the hearse and funeral cars.
“We notice it more in the larger cities, people in the inland towns tend to slow down, wait for the procession,” Barrett said. Western Australia.
‘Older residents still tip their hats when we drive past; as we grow as a city and people get busier, society may be forgetting how important a funeral is and should be.’
He added that being stuck behind a funeral procession would only add an extra 2 to 3 minutes to the journey.
The hall’s “important plea” urged drivers to “slow down and… show consideration for the life” they are honoring and their family during a procession (file image)
While there are no traffic rules in WA regarding disrupting a funeral procession, the disrespectful act was criticised by Facebook users.
“Families in mourning are not respected,” one commented.
Another added: “In the days before headlights, everyone in the procession had their lights on and everyone yielded to all vehicles.”
“That’s old-school respect; it definitely needs to be reestablished and reinforced.”
A third questioned: “I can’t believe this has to be asked, where have manners and respect gone?”
‘The chemical balance in someone’s brain is not right if they think it’s okay to do this.’
Victoria and the ACT fine drivers between $91 and $205 for disrupting a funeral procession, while the act can cost up to $2,200 in New South Wales or $26.60 in Queensland.