Once services with funeral homes in Rolling Prairie, IN, have been planned, if you are a close friend or family member who is going to be driving in the funeral procession alone, you may be nervous. This is normal since most people have not driven in this situation before.

You have probably passed a funeral procession on the road before and know the rules state to yield to them and give them the right of way, but being in the procession has a few rules you may not know.

Here are some key points you should know when driving in a procession.

Before the Procession Begins

First, make sure to arrive to the funeral service early. Doing so will allow your car to be near the car of the immediate family. As other guests show up, their cars will be placed in line according to the order they arrived. If they are not going to be in the procession, their cars will be parked in a different area.

Order of Procession

There is an order in which the cars line up in a procession. The first car is the lead car and will be the one that signifies to other drivers on the road that the line behind is a funeral procession. This is normally done by the hazard lights being turned on so they are flashing, or flags or other markers being attached to the vehicle.

After the lead car, the hearse is next. The limousines transporting the immediate family follows. After that, it is the cars of family and close friends.

The last car will signify the end of the procession so that the other drivers on the road are aware it has ended. As with the lead car, this car normally has its hazards on or other markers or flags.

Driving in the Procession

If you have nerve driven in a funeral procession before, you might not be exactly sure what the rules are. A few key things to know are:

• The procession will be moving slowly. You will most likely be going well under any speed limit so be prepared to take things slow
• Make sure to always stay in line with the procession at all times. It may seem weird to run a red light, but if you are in a procession and the light turns red before you come to it, continue through the intersection. Laws give funeral processions the right of way. Also, you will notice most drivers respecting these laws and yielding and pulling over for the procession
• You will follow in the procession until you reach the cemetery and the lead car stops

Driving in a procession doesn’t have to be a stressful situation. Just remember to drive slowly, follow the other cars, and stay in line.

If you have more questions on driving in a funeral procession, reach out to funeral homes in Rolling Prairie, IN. When you contact Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, you can talk with a funeral director one-on-one about any questions you may have.

When discussing arrangements with cremation services in Michigan City, IN, regarding your loved one’s passing, you will be asked what you would like to do with their remains. While there are many options such as scattering the ashes in a special location, placing the ashes in an urn to keep at your home, or even burying the ashes in a burial plot, what you decide is an entirely personal choice.

No matter where the final resting place may be, you can always keep your loved one close to you by honoring their memory. Taking part in an activity in remembrance of the deceased can help you feel connected with your loved one and help in the grieving process.

Here are four affectionate ways to cherish and celebrate your loved one.

Support a Charity or Cause They Loved

Did your loved one have a charity or cause they were involved with? If so, continue their legacy and get involved. You could volunteer your time or donate money or services.

Maybe they didn’t have a specific cause but instead a hobby or past time they loved. If your loved one was passionate about books and could always be found reading, you could gather up old books from friends and family and donate them to a school or library. If they loved dogs and cats, you could head to your local animal shelter and see how you could be of help.

Save Them a “Seat”

When your family gatherers together for the holidays or other special occasions, save your loved one a “seat”. Having this special place designated just for them is a nice tribute to their memory. Along the same lines, you could hang their stocking up at Christmas or save them a party hat at a birthday celebration.

Start a New Tradition

Another way to honor and celebrate your loved one is to start a new tradition. For example, if your loved one always enjoyed picking fresh flowers, you could start a tradition that each year, on the official first day of spring, you grab a basket, drive to a pretty field, and pick flowers

Maybe they delighted in watching old movies. You could invite friends and family over on a certain day for “movie night” where only old movies were played.

Finish Something They Started

Completing a project for your loved one is a great way to connect with them and share in their passions. Finding a task, project, role, or responsibility they held and taking it on helps you feel their sense of purpose. Connecting with something they loved like this is truly special.

No matter how you choose to honor your loved one, they will always be close to you in your heart. Discussing cremation services in Michigan City, IN, for your loved one who has passed is never easy, Let the caring staff at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center help you in this difficult time. Their compassionate staff is here to discuss options, answer questions and address any concerns you may have.

When you discuss arrangements with funeral homes in Michigan City, IN, regarding your loved one’s passing, you may be asked if you would like to hold a viewing or wake.

These activities have been performed in various cultures around the world and can be dated back thousands of years. However, if you are not familiar with these rituals, you may be unsure if one is right for you and your family.

Knowing what these events are, the difference and similarities between them, as well a what is involved in having one can help you make an informed decision.

What is a Viewing and a Wake?.

The terms “viewing” and “wake” are often interchangeable and are, for the most part, very similar events. The main difference is that a wake tends to be more religious and be filled with more prayer and readings of religious scriptures.

In both a viewing and wake, the deceased is present in the casket. The casket is normally open although can be closed.

This event is used as a time to support and gather around loved ones, and to remember and celebrate the life of the deceased.

When Does the Viewing Take Place?

A viewing or wake typically takes place just before the funeral and burial or cremation. While this is the normal time, a viewing could also last for three days prior to these events. An advantage of holding the event immediately before the burial or cremation is that it allows a chance for more friends and family members who may live far away to be present.

Where is the Viewing Held?

Where the viewing is held is a personal choice. Many people choose to have it at the funeral home while others may select an event hall at a church, or the home of the family.

How to Announce the Viewing

Informing friends and distance family of the viewing can be done by including the information in the obituary. Remember that this obituary will be published in the local newspaper, so the viewing information will be public.

If you would like to have a smaller, more private announcement, personal funeral invitations are a nice choice. Whichever you decide, just be sure to add all the necessary information such as the location, date, and time.

Other Considerations

When planning the viewing, there are a few other things you may wish to consider. One is the serving of refreshments. Many times, you will find light finger foods and punch or other drinks offered at viewings. Another thing to think about is who will be attending the viewing? Will this be a private family-only viewing or open to the public?

While holding a viewing helps in the grieving process and is such a nice way to gather with loved ones and honor the deceased, it can feel overwhelming. Talking with funeral homes in Michigan City, IN can help you feel more at ease. Contact Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center and let their experienced staff help you. Call and talk with a funeral director one-on-one about the viewing and let them answer any questions or concerns you may have.