Many of the funeral traditions we see today actually date back to the Victorian era⁠, with Queen Victoria’s public mourning of her husband, Prince Albert, having an influence on how we mourned our loved ones.⁠

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The funeral director would lead the procession at walking pace from the house of the deceased, with others on foot following the hearse. They would walk along main roads leading out of town to the cemetery. Sometimes a detour was made through important areas in order to achieve a maximum display. ⁠

Once the procession was out of town, everyone on foot climbed on to the coaches, and the procession was led at a brisk trot.⁠

Many funeral directors still follow the tradition of Paiging Away, however, only for a short distance. This is a mark of respect to the deceased and also gives following cars an opportunity to join the cortege⁠.⁠

If you need help arranging a funeral, please get in touch with your local funeral home and our friendly team will guide you through the process.

About eziFunerals

eziFunerals supports individuals and families cope with end of life decisions, death and funerals. We are an independent, Australian-owned and operated company. We are not part of any other funeral company.

Our member Funeral Directors operate in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Australia wide. Thet are chosen for their knowledge, quality, service, personalisation and experience. They go above and beyond, and will take the time to support the family.

For more information or to make contact with a trusted Independent funeral director, call eziFunerals on 1300 236 402 or visit www.ezifunerals.com.au.

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Peter

Peter Erceg is the Founder and Owner of eziFunerals — Australia’s Independent Funeral Planning Authority. With more than 40 years of experience in government, he has more than 15 years of experience in the funeral industry and is the author of What Kind of Funeral. Through eziFunerals, Peter has built a national platform that empowers Australian families to make informed end-of-life decisions — free from pressure, commissions, and confusion. His goal is simple: "to help every Australian plan smarter, save money, and choose funeral services with confidence." ⚖️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by Peter Erceg are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of eziFunerals or its members. The information provided on this site is general in nature and should not be taken as personal, legal, or financial advice. Consumers are encouraged to conduct their own research and compare funeral services that best meet their needs and circumstances.