When someone you love has died, there are suddenly a great many decisions to make, often in a very short time. Transport is one of them. It’s rarely the first thing a family thinks about, but on the day it matters a great deal. This guide explains, simply and gently, how funeral cars work, so you know what to expect and what to ask.
The Hearse and the Family Cars
There are usually two parts to funeral transport.
- The hearse carries the coffin from the funeral home to the service, and then on to the cemetery or crematorium.
- The family cars carry the immediate family, so they can travel together, behind the hearse, without having to drive or park.
Many families arrange both through their funeral director. Others have the hearse arranged by the funeral director and book the family cars separately. Either way works. We provide a black Mercedes-Benz hearse and matching black S-Class family cars, and we’re just as happy to supply family cars only.
Who Travels in the Family Cars?
Traditionally the family cars carry the closest relatives: a spouse or partner, children, parents, and sometimes grandchildren or siblings. There’s no fixed rule. Some families prefer to travel together in a larger vehicle so nobody is separated.
| Vehicle | Passengers |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Up to 3 |
| Mercedes-Benz V-Class | Up to 6 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | 8–15 |
How the Day Usually Runs
- Pickup from home. The family cars collect everyone from the family home or an agreed meeting point, with time to spare.
- The service. The cars arrive at the church, chapel or funeral home and wait while the service takes place.
- The procession. The family cars follow the hearse to the cemetery or crematorium.
- The wake. If you’d like, the cars can take the family on to the wake and then home at the end of the day.
Working With Your Funeral Director
Your funeral director looks after the service itself, and is usually the best person to confirm the timings. If you book family cars with us, we’re happy to speak to them directly, so the cars arrive in the right place at the right moment and the family has one less thing to organise.
Questions Worth Asking
- Where and when will the family cars collect us?
- Will the cars wait during the service?
- Can the cars take us on to the wake, and home afterwards?
- Is there room for someone who uses a walking frame or wheelchair?
- Who will we be in contact with on the day?
If you’d like to talk it through, call us on 1300 881 121. There’s no pressure, and we’ll keep it simple.
There’s no right or wrong way to arrange a farewell. What matters is that the people closest to the person who has died can travel together, calmly, and be where they need to be. That is what we’re there for.