Rochdale Funeral Director Issues Heartfelt Plea for Respect After Impatient Drivers Cut into Corteges
Rochdale, Greater Manchester – A local funeral director has made a public plea for patience and respect from drivers after a growing number of incidents where cars have dangerously cut into funeral processions, causing distress to grieving families.
Ian Leary, who has run Middleton's Funeral Services with business partner Deano Shaw for the past six years, says the problem of impatient motorists pushing in on corteges has become increasingly common. He described instances where drivers have aggressively manoeuvred their vehicles between the hearse and the limousines carrying bereaved family members, all in a bid to save a few moments on their journey.
The issue prompted Mr. Leary to take to social media on October 22nd to highlight the dangerous and disrespectful behaviour.
"Lately, we are having more and more drivers on the roads being impatient and trying to push in on the corteges", his Facebook post read. "[They go] in between the hearse and the limousines with bereaved family members in, and even on funerals with our horses too".
He stressed that the problem is not just disrespectful but is also creating a serious safety hazard. "This is happening to the point where accidents have nearly been caused because someone just wants to cut in or to cut through", he explained.
Mr. Leary acknowledged the slower pace of a funeral procession but appealed to the public's sense of empathy. "I appreciate we drive slower, but this is someone’s final journey, and this is done out of respect", he wrote. "Whether this makes you 30 seconds, one minute or two minutes late for where you need to be, think about that person who has passed and the families that are following. A final journey is so precious".
Beyond asking drivers to simply hold back, Mr. Leary also took the opportunity to suggest reviving a long-held tradition of showing public respect for the deceased.
"If you see a hearse, could you stop, stand for a moment as it passes, perhaps take off your cap, and bow your head?" he asked. "We wondered if we could revive an old tradition that would show people that their loss is noticed and shared by us all? It would mean the world to families in a time of sadness".
The post has clearly struck a chord with the community, resonating widely across the social media platform. It has garnered more than 6,000 likes and nearly 800 comments, with the vast majority of users expressing their support and sharing their own frustrations with the lack of roadside courtesy. The overwhelming response suggests a shared belief that a moment of patience is a small price to pay to honour a family's final farewell.
Ian Leary, who has run Middleton's Funeral Services with business partner Deano Shaw for the past six years, says the problem of impatient motorists pushing in on corteges has become increasingly common. He described instances where drivers have aggressively manoeuvred their vehicles between the hearse and the limousines carrying bereaved family members, all in a bid to save a few moments on their journey.
The issue prompted Mr. Leary to take to social media on October 22nd to highlight the dangerous and disrespectful behaviour.
"Lately, we are having more and more drivers on the roads being impatient and trying to push in on the corteges", his Facebook post read. "[They go] in between the hearse and the limousines with bereaved family members in, and even on funerals with our horses too".
He stressed that the problem is not just disrespectful but is also creating a serious safety hazard. "This is happening to the point where accidents have nearly been caused because someone just wants to cut in or to cut through", he explained.
Mr. Leary acknowledged the slower pace of a funeral procession but appealed to the public's sense of empathy. "I appreciate we drive slower, but this is someone’s final journey, and this is done out of respect", he wrote. "Whether this makes you 30 seconds, one minute or two minutes late for where you need to be, think about that person who has passed and the families that are following. A final journey is so precious".
Beyond asking drivers to simply hold back, Mr. Leary also took the opportunity to suggest reviving a long-held tradition of showing public respect for the deceased.
"If you see a hearse, could you stop, stand for a moment as it passes, perhaps take off your cap, and bow your head?" he asked. "We wondered if we could revive an old tradition that would show people that their loss is noticed and shared by us all? It would mean the world to families in a time of sadness".
.jpg) |
| A.I. Image |
.jpg)
.jpg)
Comments
Send your story in to editor@rochdalevaliant.uk
Post a Comment