Funeral Car Hire or Horse-Drawn Hearse

Planning a
loved ones funeral can be one of life’s most emotionally difficult events. We
can understand why you’d want to make it perfect and truly capture their
essence and character in a way that they would have wanted. From the readings
you choose to the casket and flowers, you shouldn’t have to go through it alone
which is why finding a reputable funeral director is paramount.

Choosing the
final for your loved one may not be the
easiest decision, however, there are a variety of options to choose from –
regardless of whether you want to keep it traditional, or go for a more unusual
option. Many people choose to have symbolism intertwined with their funeral
arrangements as well as having modern convenient options too. Therefore, you
can have peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to do extensive research to
find the right one.

With this in
mind, we have put together a guide to funeral transport options to help assist
you in finding the right vehicle for the big day. From evaluating whether to
hire a traditional funeral car or an elegant horse-drawn hearse, to choosing a
motorbike hearse, this blog will make the decision easier – showing you the
pros and cons of both. We will also explain some other modern and traditional
funeral arrangements, that could give you some more inspiration about planning
the day ahead.

History of Funeral Transport

Horse-drawn
hearses are a classic and traditional option for transporting your loved ones,
simply because they have been used since the 17th century. Ornate and majestic,
they are often adorned with engraved and carved flowers and ornaments. Below is
a brief history of funeral transport which may sway you towards more
traditional routes.

Before the
19th century, a common choice for transporting bodies between rural communities
and parishes were either being carried on foot or with a horse-drawn wooden
bier which is a flat wooden frame. Specific country roads were constructed with
these processions in mind and were ridden fables and superstitions about being
haunted by ghosts. During the 19th century, there was a rise in the production
of funeral trains which allowed the deceased to travel long distances. One of
the most famous examples of this is Abraham Lincoln which was a 1,654-mile
journey from Washington to Illinois. Yet, also during this time, horse-drawn
hearse carriages were still a preferred option until the 1920’s when
automobiles were rapidly developing.

In the UK, a
common site is a Mercedes Benz, Rolls Royce or Jaguar hearse as well as
limousine options. Yet, there are countries like Japan that has an ornate
Buddhist temple covering the rear of the vehicle – these are produced by Nissan
and Toyota.

Furthermore,
there is also the choice of symbolic transport. One of the most common of these
is the riderless horse – a poignant choice for military funerals and often used
in US president funerals. The riderless horse will also have a pair of black
riding boots reversed in the stirrups. This is symbolic of the fallen leader
looking back upon his troops for a final time on his trip to the grave.

Funeral Costs: What is the most affordable form
of funeral transport?

Funeral
costs can vary, there are a range of affordable options out there for people
who don’t want or have the money to pay for a lavish funeral. It has been
estimated that the average cost of a funeral in the UK is £4,271

. Furthermore,
the same report suggests that an extra £2000 is often spent on ‘send off’ costs
which is flowers, transport and funeral venue. Especially as it is such an
emotionally difficult time, the cost of a funeral can cause extra unneeded stress.

With this in
mind, what is the most affordable form of funeral transport? The classic car
hearse is the cheapest option, yet many people also hire a limousine to
transport the loved ones closest family members. You can cut costs by
organising and encouraging people to follow the funeral procession in their own
cars rather than hiring lots of transport.

If you do
choose to have an unusual funeral vehicle option, then expect them to cost
slightly more than the standard black hearse. You can get multicoloured, white
and pink hearses which are a more joyful option and fits in with the modern
interpretation of funerals being about the celebration of a person’s life
rather than one of sorrow and melancholy.

Second to a
motor hearse is a horse-drawn hearse, an elegant way to transport your loved
one. These, however, can be significantly more expensive as well as ill-fitting
for long journeys and inner cities. Yet, you cannot deny that this is a
beautiful way to say goodbye, and it will create a lasting impression on your
attendees. Furthermore, a horse-drawn hearse may be appropriate if your loved
one had an affinity for horses and animals, or they had a soft spot for history
and tradition.

A more
modern option is a motorbike hearse, where the casket is attached to the side
of the motorbike in a see through vessel. This would be fitting for someone who
loved motorbikes for example, or perhaps as a symbolic gesture for
thrillseekers and those who loved to take risks.

Other modern and traditional funeral
arrangements

Modern

The true
definition of a modern funeral can vary for many, especially as we live in a
multicultural society, there is no longer one set way to honour your loved
ones. Humanist funerals and civil celebrants are increasing in
popularity

for those who aren’t religious, and there are
many beautiful ceremony options as well as a personalisation of the funeral
service. Furthermore, more people are searching for an authentic and highly
personal way to honour their life. Below are some modern funeral ideas if you
are looking for a dosage of inspiration.

Handing out seed cards –
A poignant way to commemorate a
person’s life, seed cards a great way for people to celebrate new beginnings
and new chapters. Seed cards can be personalised and they are a fitting
tribute, as well as bringing comforting notions of beauty and growth around
such an emotional time.

Personalised caskets –
There are a variety of different
wooden casket options to choose from, many providers now give the choice for
brightly coloured caskets, as well as being personalised with quotes and words
that were important to your loved one.

Donations –
Many people can feel overwhelmed and
inundated with gestures of goodwill after a loved one has passed away. With
this in mind, many people have started organising donation pages for friends
and family to donate to charity in honour of the deceased. This is fitting for
someone who has passed away from a terminal illness or if there was a charity
that they were passionate about. It is also a great way to add some positivity
to the event as you are helping those who are less fortunate.

Traditional

Normington and Sons: Funeral Directors in
Wakefield

We have
become experts in both modern and traditional funeral rites – including
commemorative jewellery, eco-burials, religious services and transport. We can
offer special requests on funeral transport including vehicles of different
colours and horse-drawn hearses. Contact
us today to find out more.