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Coordinating transportation with the funeral home you’re working with is often the easiest way to make these arrangements, though you can arrange transportation yourself.
If the burial or cremation will happen after the funeral service, it has become customary for the family to be brought to the cemetery or burial site from the funeral site in a limousine or sedan that can seat many people.
Transporting a coffin to a funeral can be done in more ways than most people may realise, and can be one of the easiest things to personalise and make memorable if you choose. Most people settle for the hearse and limousine supplied by their funeral director, but there are a multitude of companies offering a wide choice of specialist vehicles for this purpose.
Things to consider for transport to and from the funeral:
- Would you prefer a motor or horse-drawn hearse?
- An additional hearse may also be required to carry the flowers.
- What type of hearse would you prefer? Would you like a standard hearse or something more unusual such as a motor-cycle hearse or a horse-drawn hearse?
- How many limousines will be needed? (most can carry 6 people)
- Where will the cortege leave from?
- Will it take a special route? Where will you return to?
- Will you require wheelchair access?
The following is a list of funeral transport options available to you.
Hearse
If the body and casket were present at the funeral service, a hearse will be used to transport the casket to the cemetery or burial site. A hearse, sometimes called a coach, is a car that is used to transport a casket. Shaped like a station wagon, a hearse has two seats up front (for a driver and one passenger) and a large, covered trunk in the back for the casket.
Limousine/Sedan
A limousine or sedan can usually hold around 4-7 people. Usually, closest family members are transported in the limousine or sedan.
“Lead Car”
You may also hire a “lead car,” which is driven by a member of the funeral home’s staff to lead the procession of cars to the cemetery.
Escorts
Motorcycle escorts and police escorts are available for the funeral procession. These escorts can be arranged by your funeral director.
Transporting The Body Yourself
If you want to transport the body to the cemetery or burial site yourself, you’ll need to figure out your state’s laws on body transportation, as well as obtain any necessary documentation you will need. Be aware that in a few states a transporter’s license is necessary to transport a body, which means that only a licensed funeral home or crematory will be able to handle the transportation.
Funeral transport costs
Transportation costs charged by funeral homes can vary significantly. Make sure you get an itemised cost from funeral homes before you sign a contract.
Funeral homes usually have their own limousines and hearses available for rent, though you can contract a third-party rental company for these services. If you will be renting transportation from the funeral home, be aware that in addition to the flat rate for the hearse and limousine or sedan, there is often a charge for extra kilometres outside the funeral home’s defined “local” area.
Use eziFunerals price comparison service and save time, money and unnecessary grief.
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, and are not a subsidiary of any other corporation. We are not part of any other funeral company.
