18/03/2025
I take no joy in sharing this but felt it had to be shared to let folk see just how much people's attitude and actions are changing when it comes to funerals.
We know most folk would never dream of gesturing to staff in a hearse or overtake them in frustration - remember the times we would have bowed in the street when we saw a hearse pass us and would let a funeral procession pass us- and nor would many decent folk think of disrespecting staff who are doing what they do but this, is sadly beyond belief.
Let's hope something like this never happens again and that people do learn more tolerance and patience when it comes to seeing a hearse and family on the way to a funeral.
ACT OF VANDALISM
Follow-Up Response:
We would like to thank everyone who has shared our post and commented with your support in condemning this despicable act of vandalism. We are aware however that there are a small number of comments, here and elsewhere, querying whether it was a targeted attack or that it’s simply been an accidental occurrence, for example stones being thrown up by other vehicles passing. While we understand that it must be difficult to accept someone could contemplate carrying out something so shocking and disrespectful, this was not a planned attack. We were not using our normal route that day due to roadworks elsewhere so no-one could have known that our hearse was going to be on that particular road at that specific time. Secondly, it was not accidental. The hearse window was hit at least 3 times from stones launched at high velocity in quick succession. The stones were still being deliberately fired over the heads of our staff, and other innocent bystanders, even after the hearse stopped and our staff got out. Police Scotland have been given all these details and their investigations are ongoing.
On our way to a funeral last week, our funeral colleagues experienced a shocking act of vandalism. Our hearse, which was carrying a coffin to Warriston Crematorium for a service, had its back window completely smashed with stones launched from an unknown location on Longstone Road.
This deliberate damage was not just an attack on a vehicle which could have caused our funeral team risk of serious injury, but more importantly, is an appalling sign of disrespect towards the deceased and their grieving family.
Funerals are the very last opportunity for family and friends to remember and celebrate the lives of their loved ones and such actions undermine the dignity and respect that should be given to someone who has died and those in our communities who are mourning.
Sadly, however, it is very much a modern reflection of the lack of compassion and understanding we experience regularly. This can be in the form of verbal aggression, gestures and overall frustration from other drivers, while simply trying to carry out our duties as funeral directors.
We condemn this disgraceful behaviour, and this matter has been passed to Police Scotland for investigation. In the meantime, if you witnessed this act, which took place on 13th March at approximately 2.30pm on Longstone Road, or were passing in a car that might have dashcam footage, please contact us as a matter of urgency.
