Funeral Processions

The actions of drivers involved in a funeral procession, and what motorists are to do when they encounter a funeral procession, are covered by state law and municipal ordinance. Vehicles involved in a funeral procession are allowed to disregard some traffic laws as long as they do so with the highest degree of care and safety. Springfield Municipal Ordinances #106-195 and #106-196 cover funeral processions. Listed below are the requirements / responsibilities for all vehicles for funeral processions.

Funeral procession lead vehicles need to be properly marked. That means they must exhibit a rotating/flashing amber or purple light, or alternating flashing headlamps (visible for 500 feet from the front of the car). A hearse or coach properly equipped may be a lead vehicle. Vehicles involved in the procession are required to follow these standards:
  • All vehicles in an organized funeral procession shall follow the preceding vehicle in the procession as closely as is practical and safe under the conditions.
  • No person shall operate any vehicle as part of an organized funeral procession without the flashing emergency lights of such vehicle being lighted.
  • When the lead vehicle in an organized funeral procession lawfully enters an intersection*, all vehicles in the procession shall follow the lead vehicle through the intersection.
  • *The lead vehicle must first stop at the stop sign, or red signal, then proceed when safe to do so or the signal turns green.
  • The operator of each vehicle in the procession shall exercise the highest degree of care toward any other vehicle or pedestrian on the roadway.
  • Operators of vehicles in an organized funeral procession shall yield the right of way to any approaching emergency vehicle, or when directed to do so by a law enforcement officer.
Vehicles that encounter a funeral procession on the roadway are to follow these standards:
  • Pedestrians and operators of all other vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which is a part of an organized funeral procession.
  • Not drive between the vehicles comprising an organized funeral procession, except when required to do so by a law enforcement officer, or when such person is operating an emergency vehicle giving an audible or visual signal.
  • Join a funeral procession for the purpose of securing the right-of-way.
  • Shall not attempt to pass any vehicle in an organized funeral procession, except where a passing lane has been specifically provided.
  • When an organized funeral procession is proceeding through a red signal light as permitted in section 106-195, a vehicle not in the organized funeral procession shall not enter the intersection unless such vehicle may do so without crossing the path of the funeral procession.
(The above is a paraphrase of Municipal Code sections #106-195 and #106-196.)