Written by Joy Neighbors
Hearses
have been used to carry bodies for centuries, but not necessarily the type of
hearse you may be thinking of. Our first hearses were hand-carried wooden or
metal frames that the coffin was placed in and carried to the grave.Then came rolling carts for easier transportation over a distance.
In
the 19th century came horse-drawn hearses, which were used until the
early 20th century. Horse-drawn carriages are still used today for pomp
and circumstance when royalty or famous people die.
With
the invention of the automobile came the motorized hearse – a vehicle that could
transport the deceased to the cemetery in style. But there are several other modes of
transportation used to transport the body of the deceased.
When
someone dies, a “first call vehicle” is sent out to collect the body and
deliver it to a funeral home. Many times, the funeral home has a basic van for
this purpose. In larger cities, there are companies that operate first
call vehicles for delivery to funeral homes thereby saving the hearse for the
actual trip to the cemetery. 
There
was also a combination car, which operated as an ambulance and a hearse. (Think Ghostbusters.) These combos were popular mid-century but fell out of
favor by the end of the 1970s when vehicles were downsized to compact cars.
Motorcycle
hearses may be equipped with a specialized sidecar to carry the casket, or in a tricycle formation so the casket rides behind the bike.
Rail
cars have been used for transporting the deceased across the country to
their final resting places. (Remember Lincoln’s funeral train?) During the 19th century, the City of Chicago had three trolley car that
carried the dead on the elevated trains to cemeteries outside of town.
Modern
hearses have an elegant look with padded interiors and a sleek design. In
the U.S, we use luxury cars for the base of the hearse: mainly Cadillac, Lincoln
and Mercedes.
Major
hearse builders in America include S&S/Superior Coach Company of
Lima, Ohio, and Specialty Hearse with locations in Alvarado, Texas and East
Farmingdale, New York.
Hearses
are also popular as collector cars and numerous hearse clubs throughout the U.S.
hold shows and rallies each year. (Not sure what the plans are for this
year with Covid. Check with the festival or rally before you head out.)
The
National Museum of Funeral History in Houston Texas has a collection of rare
historical funeral vehicles. Check out the video on their website showing a small part of their
collection.
Regardless
of how you feel about hearses, it will most likely be your ride to that final
destination.
