But unfortunately that compassion and respect isn’t always extended to grieving families at funerals as drivers rush to their destinations around the city oblivious they are breaking the law by cutting into funeral processions.

The story on today’s front page of the challenges in relation to safety of funeral directors by errant drivers and the diminishing respect for funeral processions is a timely reminder for some to check their behaviour when it comes to funeral etiquette.

Many residents will tell you they recall the days when all vehicles pulled to the side of the road as a mark of respect as a funeral passed by but that is clearly not always possible on our busy streets.

However it is also clear more effort is required by drivers to ensure that grieving relatives who are following a hearse don’t have their sadness compounded by poor driver behaviour.

Driver behaviour has been an increasing source of frustration for funeral directors who have observed the erosion of respect for some time.

Admittedly the configuration of our city’s streets with so many roundabouts is not conducive to funerals continuing on their way uninterrupted, but in the words of one of our funeral directors, even if the first 12 or so vehicles are allowed to follow a hearse before other vehicles cut in that would be deemed acceptable.

On a more positive note the observations by one of the funeral director’s that the young students of Canobolas Rural Technology High School always stop and face the funeral procession as it passes as a mark of respect brings another aspect to the debate.

And just a reminder that Roads and Maritime legislation clearly states that fines are applicable for interrupting or not allowing the free passage along the road of any funeral cortege.