This and That – The Drive-In Funeral Home.

I always knew that Mississippi was 40 years ahead of its time!

At least the folks in Hattiesburg, MS, back in the 70s, were. It took the folks in Michigan 40 years to come up with the same idea, as in this story from the Associated Press that I read in this morning’s local Fish Wrapper, by MIKE HOUSEHOLDER – The Associated Press.

“Michigan Funeral Home Offers.

Only a couple of families have taken advantage of a new service available at a Saginaw funeral home.

Drive-thru viewings.

Michigan funeral home provides a drive-thru option.

Paradise Funeral Chapel recently started offering the option, which allows mourners to pay their last respects on the go. It was designed in part to cater to those with physical limitations.

The funeral home’s president, Ivan (EYE’-vuhn) Phillips, says he expects more customers to opt for the drive-thru once they learn it’s not a gimmick and is safe to use.

Curtains covering the window open when sensors underneath the pavement recognize the presence of a car. Mourners then get three minutes to view the body as music plays.

Phillips says drive-thru viewings are set up so they don’t conflict with traditional indoor viewings.”

(Originally posted Oct 18, 2014)