The History of the Hearse
Photo: Gail Rubin via Pixabay
Hearses are an integral part of modern funeral processions. But do you know how the hearse originated? Here’s a brief overview of this vehicle’s fascinating history.
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The origin of the word “hearse”
Before we delve into the evolution of the hearse itself, the term “hearse” has an interesting history that deserves a brief tangent. It comes from the Middle English “herse,” which signified a candelabra placed on top of a coffin in ancient times.
In the 17th century, people started using this word to describe the horse-drawn carriages that transported caskets to the burial site. Later on, the word “hearse” was associated with the motorized hearses we’re familiar with today. (Though, interestingly enough, the funeral industry tends to refer to them as “funeral coaches” instead of hearses.)
How the hearse evolved
Photo: Pixabay
It turns out that hearses were more of an East Coast tradition than a Midwest and West Coast one. In the first half of the 1800s, hearses were seldom seen west of the Mississippi, according to HistoryNet.com’s Kim Mariette. Hearses took the form of horse-drawn carriages rather than automobiles.
The style of hearse changed to a combustion-engine vehicle in the Victorian era when undertaker H.D. Ludlow commissioned one. This vehicle was a hybrid that fused a bus chassis with a horse-drawn hearse.
Motorized hearses gradually grew in popularity and were somewhat of a status symbol, though only the wealthiest people could afford a hearse for their burial. Per Lampton, funeral homes had to pay around $6,000 for a motorized hearse, whereas a horse-drawn one cost around $1,500.
Some intriguing present-day hearses
Hearses have come a long way since their introduction. Today, these vehicles are an iconic part of many funeral processions, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Some people have found more creative ways to modify and use hearses. Lifted hearses are now a thing. There’s also a Monster Truck-inspired hearse variant called the Soul Collector.
Someone even transformed a hearse into a conveyer of sweet treats known as Fun Earl’s Ice Cream hearse. This hearse might be the only one you can feel free to laugh at as it drives by (*cue the Harley Poe song*). (Because what gravesite visitor wouldn’t appreciate the cold and creamy comfort of some ice cream?…)
Read up on what you should do if you encounter a funeral procession while driving. Then channel a spooky spirit in prep for Halloween when you get the scoop about Florida’s new haunted drive-thru attraction and spend some time reimagining Halloween movie monsters as cars.
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Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.