 | Hearse: $150-$400+ |
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 | Limousine: $125-$450+ |
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 | Motorcycle Escort: $125-$500+ |
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| Also called a funeral cortege, a funeral procession is a slow, solemn and respectful motorcade to convey the deceased and the mourners from the site of the funeral ceremony to the cemetery or crematory for a graveside/committal service. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Charges for the use of a hearse (also called a funeral coach) vary from $150 -$400 or more, depending on local rates, distance traveled and hours used. If a lead vehicle is included, it can add $45 -$200. A van or other utility vehicle to carry the funeral flowers can cost $55 -$250. A limousine for the immediate family can be $125 -$450 or more, depending on size (five-passenger to 10-passenger capacity), distance traveled and total hours used. Norton Funeral Home in rural South Carolina charges $45 for a lead vehicle, $150 for the hearse, $95 -$125 for a limousine and $55 for a flower van, for a total of $345 -$375. Midgley Gardenside Mortuary in Southern California, charges $400 for a hearse, $400 -$450 for a limousine, $150 for a flower van and $150 in other funeral procession charges, totaling $1,100 -$1,150.
- The cost of a motorcycle escort for a funeral procession can cost $125 -$500 or more depending on local rates, the distance to be traveled, and the number of motorcycles or other vehicles used. In most areas a minimum of two escorts is recommended, so they can take turns directing traffic in each intersection. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina charges a flat $150 for a funeral escort, and AAA Motorcycle Escort Service of California charges $125 -$480 for one to four motorcycles.
- The total overall cost for a funeral procession with a motorcycle escort, lead vehicle, hearse, family limousine and flower van plus private mourner vehicles can range from $450 -$1,800. These fees are in addition to other charges by the funeral home or mortuary, and all or most of these funeral procession costs may be included in a standard funeral package from a funeral home or mortuary.
What should be included: | - Typically a procession will include a hearse carrying the casketed body, a van or other service vehicle with the funeral flowers, a limousine or other car holding the immediate family members, and personal vehicles driven by other mourners. In some cases the hearse may be preceded by a lead vehicle with banners or signs identifying the procession as a funeral. If the procession must pass through several intersections, there may also be escort of motorcycles or other vehicles to ease the way through traffic. These escorts are mandatory in some areas.
- As people arrive at the funeral service, those who will be participating in the funeral procession will usually be directed to park their vehicles in a line, bumper-to-bumper. The funeral home, mortuary or escort service should give an instruction card to each driver, as well as a sticker or flag to attach to the front and/or rear of each vehicle participating in the procession. All vehicles in the procession should be driven with headlights on, even in daylight, and some states also require driving with the hazard lights flashing. Typically the funeral procession will stay in a long line in one lane, usually on the left, driving relatively slowly.
- Historically, funeral processions were made on foot, with mourners walking behind the casket as it was carried to its final resting place. In some areas or circumstances a walking procession may still be appropriate. Funeral.com provides an overview of funeral processions.
Shopping for funeral processions: | - Many people who work as funeral escorts are off-duty law enforcement officers or firefighters, but some are simply civilians hired by the escort company. Ask about the training and expertise of the motorcycle escorts.
- Most funeral homes or mortuaries will handle all aspects of a funeral procession, and are familiar with local laws and escort options. Search for funeral homes or mortuaries with the National Funeral Directors Association or the Selected Independent Funeral Homes, or at TheFuneralSite.com.
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Article updated November 2010 |
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