Horse Drawn Funeral

A funeral is the time when we give someone who has died a final and parting tribute. We can express our feelings and respect for one who has passed away by giving them a touching and memorable service which all present will remember them by.

If you wish for a funeral to have some more significance and to be slightly more special, then having a horse drawn hearse at a funeral is an excellent way to give that touch of classic elegance. A horse drawn hearse is a traditional and dignified alternative to the more modern motorised hearses. Hiring one of these horse drawn carriages is a beautiful way to show your love for one who has passed away.

The traditional black horse drawn hearse is quite dramatic and eye-catching. To have a coffin carried in this way at a funeral gives someone a unique mark of respect. Drawn hearses are usually pulled by two, four, or six beautiful black horses, which are turned out in traditional harness, funeral drapes and ostrich feather plumes. The Coachman and groom will usually be wearing traditional Victorian livery.

If you wish the funeral to be different or less severe and sombre, there are white and silver horse drawn hearses available. Perhaps for a child’s funeral, these would be more appropriate than the traditional black hearses. The silver or white horse drawn hearses are really beautiful to look at, and are pulled by pairs or teams of white or dappled grey horses. The horses usually wear stunning white, or coloured ostrich feather plumes and white funeral drapes.

Horse drawn hearses are available for hire in the United Kingdom. A horse drawn funeral is a final show of affection for one who has died, and fitting for many funeral services under all kinds of circumstances.

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Horse Drawn Hearse

When a loved one dies, we want to remember them in the best possible way. It is fitting therefore to give them one last gift, a parting which expresses our love and gratitude for the person.

At a funeral, often the person’s favourite flowers are displayed, and their favourite music played.  As we respect their wishes, everyone wants to remember them by the things they loved. Instead of our loved one being carried away in a motorised hearse, a horse drawn hearse is a beautiful and fitting way to conduct a funeral. It is a touching way of showing our love and respect and to give the person the best parting.

Horse drawn hearses give a very traditional touch to a funeral. They were always used in the past, up until the 1920’s – 1930’s, and have since been overtaken by motorised hearses. The motorised hearses are the more common and popular option, but this means that choosing a horse drawn hearse gives an individual and personal touch to a funeral.

There are a variety of styles of horse drawn hearses to hire, ranging from the very traditional black hearse to white or silver hearses. A black hearse, pulled by stunning black horses makes a big impression, and they have been used at many important funerals. White and silver hearses are less sombre, and especially appropriate at a young person’s funeral. These hearses are usually pulled by a pair of beautiful grey, or dapple grey horses.  Horse drawn hearses are also pulled by stunning teams of four or six horses.

Not only is the hearse itself a beautiful carriage, but the horses, grooms and driver are also very well turned out. The horses are usually dressed with drapes and ostrich feather plumes while the grooms and driver often wear traditional Victorian Livery.

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Introduction to Carriage Driving

When we think Carriage Driving, we think horse drawn cart, which in its simplest form means exactly this.  Carriage Driving can of course apply to horses, ponies, donkeys or even mules that are attached to an item which is to be drawn such as a wagon, cart, carriage or even a sleigh.  This is often referred to as ‘in harness’.  Driving can include a broad range of activities from harness racing for pleasure purposes, to farm work and participating in shows. 

International Carriage Driving is sanctioned by the Federation Equestrian International which is the international governing body for all Olympic equestrian disciplines.  According to the FEI, “horses were driven long before they were ridden. As vehicles have eliminated the need for horses as a primary form of transportation, Driving has turned into a fast-growing sports discipline”.

In 1970, Carriage Driving became an equestrian discipline and today is one of the oldest competitive equestrian sports.  Carriage Driving occurs without a rider.  The ‘rider’ – or Driver – is seated on the vehicle being drawn by the horse or horses, which can make up teams of two or four. 

In Driving competitions today, there are three parts or phases to the competition:

Firstly, dressage which consists of a sequence of compulsory figures performed within a 100x40m arena.  A few very important factors influencing the judges assessment and decision are smoothness of the exercises, the obedience of the horse, impulsion and positioning.

The Marathon is the second phase and is a striking and impressive trial.  The marathon course runs up to 18 km and includes natural constructed obstacles as well as sharp turning points, water and steep inclines. 

Finally, the Obstacle Driving or Cones, as it is also known by, is a test of fitness and suppleness of the horses following the marathon. To conquer negotiating the cones course, the Driver must intertwine cleanly through a narrow track outlined by cones with balls balanced on top of each cone.

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