09/04/2026
FUNERAL FRIDAY: What Does Kentucky Law Say About Funeral Processions?
Under Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 189.378:
A funeral procession is defined as two or more vehicles accompanying the body of a deceased person, with each vehicle having its headlights on or displaying a visible funeral procession pennant.
A vehicle in a funeral procession has the right-of-way at an intersection and may proceed through the intersection when the procession is led by an es**rt vehicle displaying flashing yellow, red, or blue lights. Heady-Radcliffe uses a purple light on our lead van.
Drivers who are not part of the procession may not drive between vehicles in the procession or otherwise interfere with its progress, except when authorized by a police or safety officer or when operating an emergency vehicle.
When a funeral procession is in progress, other motorists generally may not pass or overtake vehicles in the procession within a city, town, or urban-county, with exceptions provided by the statute for certain roadways, including interstate highways and state parkways.
There are exceptions. Funeral procession drivers must still exercise due caution, yield when required for an emergency vehicle, and follow the directions of police or safety officers.
At Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home & Cremation Services, we are honored to help families every step of the way, including safely coordinating their journey from the funeral service to the cemetery by asking everyone to stay close together, use caution, have their bright lights and flashers on, and mark their car with a funeral flag, if enough are available.
The next time you encounter a funeral procession, please slow down, be patient, and give the procession space. You're not simply waiting for a line of cars to pass, you're giving a family and their loved ones the opportunity to travel together during one of life's most difficult moments.
