Wells Funeral Services

The funeral procession usually begins with the funeral director walking in front of the hearse for a short distance. This is not only a mark of respect to the person who has died but gives family and friends time to join the procession in their vehicles.

The practice of walking in front of the hearse dates also from Dickensian times, when funerals were horse-drawn.

The senior Undertaker or Funeral director would walk in front of the cortege to slow the procession down in order to allow passers-by to pay their respects.

This procedure was called ‘Paging Away’ and symbolically is carried out today where the Funeral Director will walk for a fairly short distance in front of the hearse before getting into it to continue to the place of burial/cremation.

Soundtrack: Watercolor Motion by Trevor Kowalski