Quote Originally Posted by Sinfix_15 View Post
Being a tradition doesnt make it right. In some parts of Africa sowing a females vagina shut at birth is a tradition and part of their society. Should we conform to accept those traditions too? Funeral ceremony is a scam. I can dig a hole to bury a coffin in about 35 seconds with 2 passes on an excavator. If it took a carpenter a half a day to build my deck, im pretty sure there are plenty who can build a 6 foot box in the same time. Why is the avg cost of a funeral over $10,000? If these are good nature'd traditions done out of respect, why is the funeral business a 15 billion $ a year industry? Atlanta has been in the top 5 crime rate for decades.... so the police force is clearly understaffed... but they find time to devote 6 police cars to a funeral convoy? I'd much rather those officers be protecting living citizens, then maybe there would be less of these funeral convoys to begin with. Not to mention... what is the hurry for a bunch of people who likely called out of work that day to get to a place? the 50 cars stuck in traffic because of them could have been on their lunch breaks. I pay taxes to use the public roads too. Them getting to their destination is no more important than me getting to mine. Show respect? It's respectful to consume an entire intersection so that you can more swiftly get to a destination to practice one of your religious customs that not everyone might share?
#1 - We aren't in Africa, we are in the United States, and pulling over for a funeral is an American tradition. If you want African traditions, move to Africa. If you are residing in the United States, have respect and pull over.
Don't go off on tangents.

#2 - I said nothing about the funeral business. This is separate from tradition. Perhaps you should research family burials. In Georgia, you are allowed to perform burials on your own, as long as you stay within the state guidelines. If you want to build a coffin, and bury your dead on your own land, that is legally permissable.

#3 - I've paid for funerals berfore, and have never spent $10K. Have you ever paid for a funeral? Not sure where you came up with that figure. The average is $6K from what I have read. Of course, you can DIY and save more - that your choice. Most people choose to spend the money, and focus their time on taking care of family needs.

#4 - Funeral escort police are not showing respect - they are directing traffic, to prevent accidents. An accident would slow you down even more, and you would be on here complaining about that. Most people that go to a funeral do not know where the burial site is, and the likelihood that they would try to run a red light trying to keep up the car in front is higher. Police are there to help YOU get where YOU are going. BTW - Those high funeral fees help pay for the police escort.
Do you think that driving on the roads is right? It is not. Do some legal homework.

#5 - Funeral processions are not affiliated with religion. You show ignorance once again.

#6 - If you don't like American customs, move out of the country. Don't be surprised though where you find that everyplace has traditions and customs.

Here is a book that addresses family burials and has a section on GA laws. http://www.amazon.com/Caring-Dead-Yo.../dp/0942679210