We all know what the classic Cadillac hearses look like. Most of us have probably seen dozens of these throughout our lifetime. But did you know that hearses date all the way back to 350 B.C. in Russia?
Of course, they didn’t have Cadillac hearses or even motorized ones at that time. They simply used a wooden framework decorated with candles. The body was placed inside the structure and it was carried to the final resting place.
Hearses have come a long way since those days. Even in the last couple decades, hearse manufacturers have created some unique vehicles in which to transport loved ones to the grave. Most people think they can only choose between a white or a black hearse, but the options are so much more than that. The Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors is holding a National Bereavement Awareness Week this month. Officials plan to show the variety in today’s hearses. People can choose something as traditional as a black Cadillac hearse or something more contemporary like a streamlined funeral car. Motorcycle hearses have become quite popular in recent years, too.
“Choices like these are about trends to add a sense of celebration at a time of grief, and to reflect a life well lived. It comes down to not being afraid to be different,” said Alun Tucker with SAIF. What kind of hearse would you choose for your funeral? Would you be on the more traditional side or would you something that was a little out of the ordinary?
