How many vehicles can you escort?
This varies based on the locations traveled through but we normally cannot take more than 7 vehicles per escort motor officer.
This is for the safety of the officers, the procession, and the public.
Can I contract you to provide other types of escorts?
No, we only provide funeral escorts.
How do we schedule an escort?
This is normally done through a funeral home.
If you are a funeral home you can call us at 1-888-988-1723 or email at escort@regionalmotorcade.com
Why do you only allow 7 vehicles per escort motorcycle?
It is for safety. A 21 car procession will end up being about 2-3 blocks long while moving which means that you may need to be able to control three intersections at the same time to get the procession through most urban areas. The procession cannot proceed through any type of controlled intersection or make a left turn unless an escorting motorcycle is controlling that intersection.
Why do some of your escort officers carry guns?
We are also licensed as a security company (Regional Security) and some of our officers have completed the training, certification, and licensing requirements to carry firearms.
We can, and do, provide security at funerals as well as other venues.
What is the minimum number of motor escort officers?
3 is our minimum.
There are some rural areas where small processions can be escorted by 2 escort motor officers. There are also some urban areas that might require an additional officer.
What laws regulate funeral processions?
Funeral escort (the service we provide) is defined in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 204-36-020, Definitions, to mean: "a funeral procession provided in accordance with WAC 308-330-466 for the purpose of transporting human remains under a burial, removal, or transit permit issued in accordance with chapter 70.58 Revised Code of Washington (RCW) for disposition, except as otherwise provided by law, in a cemetery or building dedicated exclusively for religious purposes."
The general requirements for funeral processions are outlined in WAC 308-3330-466, Funeral processions.
Our emergency vehicle permits are issued under authority granted to the Washington State Patrol in RCW Section 46.37.194, Authorized emergency vehicles - State patrol authority, maintenance, and applicant and driver screening. The requirements for these permits and the related emergency equipment and their use are outlined in WAC 204-36, Authorized Emergency Vehicle Permits; Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 46.37.190, Warning devices on vehicles-Other drivers yield and stop; and RCW 46.61.210, Operations of vehicles on approach of emergency vehicles, apply.
Additionally we are authorized to control traffic as flaggers so RCW 46.61.015, Obedience to police officers, flaggers, or firefighters, applies as well.
Interfering with a funeral procession is addressed in RCW 9A.84.030, Disorderly conduct.
Can we make special requests or use a specific route?
If we can legally and safely accommodate your request it is possible. The law requires us to use the shortest practical route so we are limited in what we can do, but we have made minor adjustment to procession routes to travel by a significant landmark, home, or business. We have to provide our routes in advance to some jurisdictions so we need to know as soon as possible if there is a request of this type.
We have also worked with funeral homes to accommodate special vehicles into the procession that had significance to the deceased, such as the logging truck show in the picture, to honor a gentleman who worked in the logging industry. Because the lead vehicle driver is critical to the safety of the procession we require that this person be a professional driver (funeral home coach driver, chauffeur, commercial driver's license, etc.). This must be coordinated and approved in advance. We will also require that they receive a one-on-one briefing with us prior to the escort.
What are the requirements to use your services?
1. The procession must be transporting human remains either in a casket or cremation urn.
2. Some jurisdictions require prior notice so we must often know at least a few days in advance of the escort.
3. Some jurisdictions have time restrictions when escorted processions can occur (normally between 9AM and 3PM) so the escort must be within the allowed window.
4. There must be motor escort officers available. The earlier you schedule the better since we can book up fast. In this regard its important to engage us early on in the scheduling process so that we can let you know what times are available.
Do you always do a salute at the cemetery?
We always try to perform a last salute for the deceased and the family at the cemetery but there are times when it does not happen.
Getting the procession safely to the cemetery takes a priority over performing the salute.
What do I do if I get a ticket from a red-light-camera while in a procession?
Vehicles in an escorted funeral procession should not receive a red light violation ticket as long as there is a motor officer in the intersection, visible on camera, controlling the flow of traffic.
If you still receive a red-light violation you may contact the funeral home whom may be able to provide proof that you attended the funeral and you can attend a traffic court hearing to explain the circumstances.
Are you Police?
No, we are a private company with no direct affiliation with any police agency.
However, this is an authorized police function. We have been authorized by the Washington State Patrol and the local police jurisdictions to perform this function in lieu of them performing it.
Do you perform escorts on holidays?
Yes, Holiday premium pay rules will apply. We observe all federal holidays. If a holiday falls on Sunday it will be observed on the following Monday. Click HERE to see a list of holidays we observe.
What does an escort consist of?
An escort consists of a number of motor escort officers staging and leading the procession while riding motorcycles equipped with emergency lights and sirens that allows them to clear traffic and allow the procession to proceed from start to finish with minimum disruption due to stop signs, traffic signals, etc.
The officers stop all other traffic at intersections and after the procession has passed, rotate back to the front of the procession to repeat the process until arrival at the destination which will normally ended with a final salute as the procession enters the destination driveway.
Why do you wear uniforms?
We are professionals and authorized by the state to perform this function. People tend to respect and respond better to a uniformed motor escort officer better than they would someone wearing normal street clothes so it makes it safer for everyone involved.
Do you do escorts at night?
Although there is no legal reason we cannot perform escorts at night we generally will not do them due to the higher risk to the officers and procession when working at night. The exception to this policy is the movement of the remains of a military member killed in action or the line of duty.
Why is your lead motorcycle driving in the oncoming lane?
Anytime a funeral procession is traveling on two or 3 lane roads, motor officers coming up from the rear of the procession to the front need the oncoming lane clear to do so. The lead motor officer attempts to move traffic over by traveling in this lane until all officers have returned to the front of the procession. The two way turn lanes contain excessive debris so we avoid traveling in them for safety reasons.
Do you perform escorts on Sundays?
Yes, premium pay rules will apply.
How much does an escort cost?
Please review our price list page by clicking HERE
What is the ratio of motor escort officers to vehicles?
Our standard ratio is 1 motor escort officer for every 7 vehicles in the procession. Areas with high volumes of traffic and controlled intersections may require a lower ratio where rural areas with few controlled intersections may allow for higher ratios. Any variation above the standard ratio (more vehicles per motor escort officer) require prior coordination and approval. For safety reasons we also have minimum requirement for 3 escort officers.
Sometimes you have American flags on your motors. When do you do that?
This is for military or other public service (police, fire, etc.) funeral escorts only. It is a special honor for those that have served our country.
All of our motors have flags with them so this can be done on short notice.
Can you do services same day they are requested?
If resources are available is it possible. Other than resources, if we are required to pass through any justifications that require prior notification then it would not be possible as they all require at least 24 hour advance notice. This includes the use of any state routes or freeways.
Note that there is a short notice premium for this. See our PRICE SHEET for details.