Why Stopping For A Funeral Procession Shows Community Respect

In Michigan, is it illegal to continue driving while there is a military funeral procession taking place? This is a question that I recently had to ask myself for the first time in my life.

While there was a military funeral procession taking place, people started to stop along the side of the road. Cars did not continue to drive until the last vehicle in the procession passed them. It got me wondering whether or not it’s illegal to continue driving while there is a military funeral procession.

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It turns out in Michigan, you are not legally required to stop for a funeral procession; however, many people do this as a sign of respect.

If the procession is led by police with flashing lights or is already going through an intersection, all directions must yield to allow the group to pass safely together.

There are state laws that say cutting off, passing, or driving through a funeral procession is illegal, and it can land you a civil infraction, traffic violation, or even worse, civil justice:

A person passing through a funeral procession of motor vehicles, designated pursuant to subsection (1), with a vehicle of any kind, is responsible for a civil infraction.

Even though pulling over to the side of the road and stopping and waiting for a military procession to end isn’t a legal obligation, I feel like it’s the right thing to do. My experience happened near Fort Custer Cemetery, and it was the first time I’ve ever experienced anything like that.