A funeral cortege is another name for a funeral procession. The phrase refers to the solemn and respectful journey that mourners and the deceased make from a funeral home to a crematorium, place of worship or burial site. People have developed traditions regarding this journey all over the world, and for many, it is an important and meaningful part of the funeral ceremony.
What happens in a funeral cortege?
The details of a funeral procession can differ between religions and cultures, but broadly speaking, the coffin is carried to the funeral ceremony while family and friends follow behind. This used to take place on foot for those without the means to use a carriage, but in the modern world, a funeral cortege is usually made up of a group of motorised vehicles – with a hearse (which carries the coffin or casket) in front, followed by chauffeur-driven cars carrying close family members, and other mourners behind.
The procession is organised in advance and goes at a slow, reverent pace, with the funeral director usually starting the procession on foot before entering the hearse to drive from the funeral home.
How do funeral processions vary in different cultures?
There are examples of various traditions regarding funeral cortege. For example, in Cambodia, a priest will lead the funeral procession to a local temple, followed by monks and family who all wear white, which is the colour of mourning. Within Judaism, the deceased is carried by pallbearers to the gravesite with friends and family following behind. During the procession, important psalms will be recited, and people will pause in order to indicate their unwillingness to leave the dead.
Differences in arrangements are not only cross-cultural, however, but can indicate the roles people played in society. In certain funerals, for example, honour guards, bagpipers or pallbearers may accompany the hearse, especially in military or state events.
What kind of vehicles are used in a funeral cortege?
A funeral cortege is always headed by the hearse, which in some cases is a horse-drawn carriage, but more often than not is a large car. A hearse tends to be black, with large windows to display the coffin and flowers arranged inside, and is usually followed by black limousines or other elegant cars which carry the family. Behind these formal cars other attendees will follow in their own vehicles.
People who choose a horse-drawn hearse may use two or four horses, which tend to be black or white (or a mixture of both). The horses can also be dressed with feathered plumes.
What is the purpose of a funeral cortege?
A funeral procession is a structured event both for pragmatic reasons – the person who is being laid to rest and the people who mourn them need to get from A to B – and for more emotional considerations. The ritualistic aspect of a funeral cortege demonstrates the care everyone had for the deceased, and shows them the proper respect at a solemn and significant time.
Adding ceremony to the journey is an expression of grief, and one that draws in the community to help honour the person who has passed away. People will often spend a few moments thinking about life, death and family when they see a hearse pass by, sending private sentiments of support to the family experiencing the loss and perhaps openly displaying their respect by bowing their head or removing their hat.
This time also provides space for the family to reflect before the ceremony. Without having to worry about transport or practical concerns (which are all taken care of by the funeral director), they can sit with their thoughts. The route can also be chosen in order to have special significance, such as passing by certain landmarks or places that hold key memories, and symbolise the journey to the next life.
Things to consider
Funeral processions usually leave from a person’s house or a funeral home. If you are taking part in the procession, it is important to arrive in plenty of time so you can receive information from the funeral director, such as the order in which cars will be travelling.
It can also be useful to familiarise yourself with the planned route and understand how much parking there is at the destination – if all the nearby spaces fill up, having a backup plan will allay any stress you might feel in searching for a space.
Funeral cortege etiquette
A funeral procession should proceed at a slow pace, with cars driving at around 20 mph. The chauffeur-driven cars which hold the deceased’s family should be given priority (especially if some in their number are pallbearers who will need to carry the coffin into the venue), and anyone driving should stay close to the car in front of them while maintaining a safe braking distance.
If you encounter a funeral procession that you aren’t a part of, it’s important to behave respectfully. This means giving way to the hearse and funeral cars, turning down any loud music, and not attempting to cut in or overtake (unless you are on a dual carriageway and can pass by the procession with minimal disruption).
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The funeral cortege is an old and profound tradition that spans centuries and cultures. While the rise of bespoke funerals means that some of the familiar aspects of funeral processions are evolving, (for example, families arranging to be transported in their departed loved ones’ favourite kind of car rather than black limousine) they are likely to remain a key part of funerary services for centuries to come, as we seek to honour our loved ones on their final journey.