Motorcycle and trike hearses

We have become accustomed to viewing hearses as long and black, with coachwork that harks back to an earlier, perhaps more elegant period. However it was not always this way. One of the oldest hearses to survive lies in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and dates back to 350BC, from which time all manner of transport has been used to convey the departed to their place of burial. In fact, the term hearse is derived from the old French 'herce', meaning harrow - and refers to the shape of a wooden framework studded with candles which was customarily fixed above the casket for the journey to the church.

"Many of our ideas about the modern 'funeral car' only took firm shape with the arrival of the purpose-built horse-drawn hearses of the 19th century. Their large glass side windows giving bystanders the opportunity to pay their respects as the hearse passed, and also to display flowers that family and friends provided by way of appreciation. Even the wooden construction of those early vehicles finds its echo in the burr walnut still used inside today's motor hearse", explains Alun Tucker, CEO of the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral directors (SAIF).

"Up until quite recently, the furthest people would go as far as personalising a funeral, would be to choose a silver or even white hearse and matching limousine. But as visitors to SAIF funeral directors taking part in our National Bereavement Awareness Week initiative during September this year will find, today's hearse can come in a variety of forms."

For those seeking an emphasis on traditional values, there are classic Rolls-Royces to be had, whilst for a contemporary twist, people can seek out the more streamlined shapes that are starting to edge their way into mainstream funeral directors' fleets. Not everyone may wish to follow steeplejack Fred Dibnah's example by having the coffin drawn by a traction engine - but for those who do, chances are that a SAIF member will be able to arrange it. Motorcycle and trike hearses are also becoming more commonplace and there is even a Volkswagen Microbus available for VW enthusiasts - or simply those harking back to sunnier times.

Tucker adding, "Choices like these are really about more general funeral trends to add a sense of celebration of life at a time of grief, and to reflect a life well lived. It really comes down to not being afraid to be different - if that is what a loved one would have appreciated. The gun carriage may be the preserve of royalty and prime ministers, but short of that there is no prescription on what we can offer as a hearse."

National Bereavement Awareness Week runs from the 21st to 26th September 2009, when SAIF members up and down the country will open their doors to the public to foster a greater awareness of the services which they can provide, and help relieve the British taboo on death.