Overtake a funeral procession?

fletch

Is it bad manners to overtake a funeral procession. I cycle through the liberties in Dublin every day and this is the third occasion I've overtaken a funeral procession.....should I wait and follow or is it okay to overtake??

Errrr.... I probably would, or else go look for a detour.

Didn't think Dublin did the go slow for funerals actually.

petethedrummer

I undertook one in Swords once. There were just cars behind, no walkers, so I didn't realise till I was up near the front and just carried on.

ryan_sherlock

In Ireland I would take a detour. A few years ago in Zanzibar I passed through a funeral - had no idea it was a funeral until I got to the front where 10 people were running with the coffin on their shoulders - a very sureal experience. Everyone was running, shouting, screaming and dancing... not much like Ireland.

Beasty

If I knew it was a funeral procession, I would not overtake (but would look for an alternative route if available)

Blowfish

I've only come accross the one, heading back from a spin between Roundwood and Eniskerry. I overtook all of the following cars before realising what it was. Couldn't really detour so I just eased up, let the queue pass and sat at the back of them until they turned off left for Kilmacanogue.

CheGuedara

Never happed across a funeral while cycling but I think I'd detour as well, and if no detours certainly definitely no wheelies, skids or bike stunts

petethedrummer

I think if you're in Lycra you should get out of eyeshot of the mourners ASAFP.

Captain Havoc

petethedrummer wrote: »

I think if you're in Lycra you should get out of eyeshot of the mourners ASAFP.

Imagine getting caught in the middle of that wearing a Liquigas kit or similar, ohhh.

lyders

petethedrummer wrote: »

I undertook one in Swords once. There were just cars behind, no walkers, so I didn't realise till I was up near the front and just carried on.

Hahahahahahaha!

blorg

I am pretty sure I have done it accidentally- may have been in a group spin of some sort, maybe even a sportive.

BellaP

I think it is best not to overtake, out of respect for the deceased and family. Look for alternative route. :eek:

showry

not exactly overtaking a procession, but there was a funeral in a village we were passing through tonight. The hearse had just pulled up outside the church and there were cars and people everywhere so we were clipped out and just rolling through. We did get a lot of looks though. In retrospect we probably should have stopped but it was raining and getting dark.

Bunnyhopper

I think I'd be inclined to hang back and wait until the cortege turned off, or I'd look for an alternative route. Of course, as has been mentioned, you often wouldn't realize it's a funeral until it's too late. (Bad if you're in the Kaiku kit...)

They do a nice thing in Northern Ireland when there's a funeral cortege with people walking behind the hearse. Cars coming in the opposite direction will stop and wait for the hearse and walking mourners to pass before moving on. It's a small but nice gesture.

petethedrummer

Bunnyhopper wrote: »

They do a nice thing in Northern Ireland when there's a funeral cortege with people walking behind the hearse.

and in parts of the south.

Canis Lupus

I thought people always walked behind the coffin in the country? Figured it was only in cities/very large town when that becomes impossible as well as in the country you kinda have to be seen to have at least one family member at a local funeral.

DJsail

To our eternal guilt I think we've all accidentally realised at the last moment we had overtaken a hearse! Would try and hold back if possible but if you've found yourself that far forward before realising then its probably best to make as quick an exit as possible

rottenhat

Definitely don't overtake. The real question is whether you should take your helmet off as well.

Blowfish

rottenhat wrote: »

Definitely don't overtake. The real question is whether you should take your helmet off as well.

That's not a problem if you aren't wearing one.

/stirs :pac:

Malari

I honestly think the people attending the funeral have more on their minds than passers-by on bikes?!

ednwireland

just don't blow and get dropped

seamus

Provided you're not making tonnes of noise or weaving your way through crowds of mourners, I don't see the issue.

The only reason I don't overtake while driving is because they're too bloody long.

witty username

I was at a funeral in Avoca a couple of year ago, walking behind the hearse. We held up a bunch of lads out for a spin, who did the decent thing and pulled in at the bridge, waited until everything had passed.
I felt a bit like saying "sorry for your troubles" to them; it's always a bugger when you have to stop like that and break your rhythm...:rolleyes:

topazkk

I'd stop or try to find a detour but someone wearing one of these http://www.southwatercycles.com/products.php?plid=m4b0s172p741&z=4649 might be advised to execute a quick u-turn:P.

Jawgap

If I could catch one I'd probably not over take it - either detour or wait.

Places like the Liberties do tend to have the go-slow-past-the-house ritual because the area has a very strong sense of identity and community - closer to a village than a city.

victorcarrera

fletch wrote: »

Is it bad manners to overtake a funeral procession, should I wait and follow or is it okay to overtake??

It doesn't matter the undertaker will get us all in the end either way.;)

JMcCR

rottenhat wrote: »

The real question is whether you should take your helmet off as well.

Oh, imagine if the person had been killed in a biking accident and had not been wearing their helmet, then you come past and their family see you taking yours off :eek:

Riskymove

petethedrummer wrote: »

and in parts of the south.

well basically the distance between church and cemetery is the key for your options