Funeral Procession: What is the Legal Etiquette?
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Most people are not intentionally disrespectful of a funeral procession. Many people just aren’t sure what to do. The question is: who has the right of way and how do you recognize a funeral procession?
In Alberta only the first car in a funeral procession, also known as the lead car, is required to obey traffic stops. For example, if the lead car approaches an intersection on a red light or a stop sign, the car must stop. However, once the lead car enters the intersection on a green light or proceeds through the stop sign, the procession may follow without stopping, even if the light should turn red. All other traffic is required to stop and give the right-of-way to the funeral procession.
It can be difficult for regular traffic to recognize a funeral procession; however, there are some ways for the procession to aid the public. All vehicles in the funeral procession should put on their four-way flashers and their headlights must be on. The lead car will drive slowly, which will allow each vehicle to closely follow the one ahead of them. This will make the procession a tight yet consistent line through traffic, including intersections. Funeral homes often have magnets or flags that can be put on the vehicles within the procession to allow for easy identification to regular traffic.
The right-of-way is given to the funeral procession and regular traffic should not attempt to pass. Regular traffic is required to stop and wait for the procession to fully pass before resuming. However, each vehicle within the procession should drive with extreme caution and not assume that others will know the legal requirements of yielding to a funeral procession.
