An exhibit in honor of the Pray Funeral Home’s Centennial Celebration
The Funeral Coach, or as most people refer to it the Hearse, has been the proper conveyance of the dead for centuries. Since the turn of the century the motorized coach has been built by specialty manufacturers, most of them building only coaches, limousines, and ambulances.
In recognition of Pray Funeral Home’s Centennial year we are assembling a number of antique hearses from around the state of Michigan to participate in the Charlotte Frontier Days Parade September 9 at 9:00 am through downtown Charlotte. After the parade they will be on display at the American Legion Car Show at 1000 West Lawrence Highway until 3 pm
The cars you will see were all built by a handful of companies. While today’s coach manufacturers have some automation they are still largely hand built. Most funeral coaches are still custom ordered by funeral homes. Therefore, most are unique in their appointments and options.
The Hearses will come from funeral homes, museums and private collectors that strive to preserve these unique modes of transportation. Several of them are still in use today for funerals and memorials. At least four of the invited cars are built by the same manufacturer spanning 100 years. I hope you can join us on September 9 to see if you can determine which ones they are.