The officiant.
The officiant will usually lead the procession and pallbearers carrying the coffin tend to follow. Immediate family and close friends will often walk behind the coffin, followed by other guests.
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What is the person called who walks in front of the hearse?
The funeral director will then walk in front of the hearse for a short distance. This is a mark of respect to the deceased and also gives following cars an opportunity to join the cortege.
What is the person called who walks in front of the coffin?
The officiant (and the choir, if there is one) leads the procession in for religious services, while the celebrant or funeral director usually leads secular (non-religious) processions. The coffin follows, with honorary pallbearers in front of it if there are any. The chief mourners walk behind the coffin.
Who leads the funeral?
A funeral officiant is typically responsible for structuring and leading the service. Anyone can officiate a funeral, but having someone with experience to lead has advantages. Common options for a funeral officiant include religious officials, funeral directors, or certified celebrants.
Who stands at the front of a funeral?
Typically, members of the immediate family stand in the receiving line at a funeral. The immediate family typically includes the spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, grandparents, and in-laws of the deceased. If the deceased had a large family, this could make for a rather lengthy receiving line.
Who follows the funeral car?
pallbearers
The officiant will usually lead the procession and pallbearers carrying the coffin tend to follow. Immediate family and close friends will often walk behind the coffin, followed by other guests.
What is the protocol for a funeral procession?
If You are Driving In a Funeral Procession. When the funeral service is over, the officiant, the casket, and the family members leave first. The casket is placed in the hearse, which then leads the procession. Immediate family members follow the hearse and remaining mourners then follow the family.
What is the meal called after a funeral?
Repast
What’s a Repast After a Funeral? A repast is any gathering after a funeral service. You might have heard it called a reception, which is what it’s commonly known as today.
Why do they cover the legs in a casket?
They cover the legs in a casket because the deceased is not wearing shoes in many cases due to the difficulty of putting them on stiff feet. Also, funeral directors may recommend it to save money, for religious reasons, in the event of trauma, for easier transportation, or with tall bodies.
Can you overtake a funeral car?
Moving to a different lane is deemed the easiest way to respectfully let the group pass. Pulling over and waiting for the procession to pass by is an enormous sign of respect but only if it is safe to do so.
Can anyone lead a funeral?
As mentioned, anyone can conduct a funeral, including you or another family member or friend. As long as you have a plan for the order of service and are comfortable speaking in front of a crowd, you should be able to lead the service.
What is the person who speaks at a funeral called?
Guest Speaker or Eulogist
Another important choice is the person or people who will write and deliver a speech – a eulogy – about the life of the person who has died. The speech is ideally given by someone who knew the person well enough to gather and share memories and highlights of his/her life.
What to say at the opening of a funeral?
For example, you might start out like this: “I would like to welcome you to this celebration of the life of (NAME), who (passed, entered into rest, went to be with his beloved wife Glenda, went to be with his Savior) on (date).
Who sits in front row at funeral?
Friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and others typically sit on the left. The front rows are reserved for close relatives. If you are a member of the immediate family and there are step-parents or step-siblings, you must take into account where everyone will sit.
Where does an ex wife sit at a funeral?
While this might be clear-cut for close family, it’s not always obvious when it comes to an ex-partner’s funeral. In general, since you are no longer part of the close family, you should sit towards the back in the friend section.
Why do funeral cars drive slow?
According to Matthew Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc, the slow speed is in place for two reasons. Firstly, it emulates the slow, sombre march of traditional funeral processions. Secondly, it prevents other drivers on the road from separating the group.
Who goes in the first car at a funeral?
Traditional funeral etiquette dictates that at least two limousines are required, as only the closest family members – parents, spouses and children – are entitled to ride in the first limousine, with in-laws, other family members and close friends following in the second.
Why do funeral directors walk with a cane?
In the past, loved ones who had died would often be kept in the family home for a period of time known as ‘the wake’. During this time, the Funeral Director would station somebody outside the house, and this person would generally be standing with a cane. Passers-by would then know that someone in the house had died.
What should you not do at a funeral?
Things You Should NOT Do at a Funeral
- Laugh out of turn.
- Wear something revealing or loud.
- Disrespect cues.
- Make unnecessary noise.
- Speak out of turn.
- Applaud out of turn.
- Yawn excessively.
- Move around too much.
Is it disrespectful to pass a funeral procession?
Do not pass. Drivers traveling in the same direction as a funeral procession should never pass or attempt to pass unless the highway has two or more lanes going in that direction. When on a highway, never pass a funeral procession from the right side unless it is traveling in the far left lane.
Why do funeral processions get to run red lights?
We do this in an attempt to let the public know that there is a possible hazzard that they need to be aware of. We have air horns, amber and red lights, according to law, on our vehicular equipment. Doing all of the above is an attempt to protect you and a funeral procession.