Asking yourself, “How many funeral cars do I need?” is a natural question at a very hard time. Please know that there is no single right answer. There is also no legal rule that fixes the number. This guide explains the choices in plain language. It covers who usually travels in each car, how to work out how many you need and how families can book cars through their funeral director. Take your time. Your funeral director can help with every step, and so can our team.
How Many Funeral Cars Do I Need?
For many funerals, the answer is a hearse plus one or two family cars. The hearse carries the coffin and is normally arranged by your funeral director. You only ever need one hearse. Family cars carry the people who want to travel together.
The number of family cars depends on the size of your family group. A small, close family may need only one car. A larger family may need two or more. Funeral cars are also optional. Some families choose to follow in their own cars, and that is perfectly acceptable. Age UK’s funeral planning factsheet, for example, lists cars for family members among the extras you can choose.
These points can help you decide:
- How many close family members will travel together
- Whether any relatives have mobility needs
- How far the procession travels between venues
- Whether you would like everyone to arrive together
- Your own wishes and your budget
Who Travels in the Funeral Cars?
There is no rigid legal rule. The usual custom is that the closest family travels in the first car behind the hearse. This is typically the partner, children and parents. Other relatives and close friends travel in the next car.
Your funeral director will guide you on the order. Families can adapt it to suit their own wishes. Some choose to travel with the people who will support them most. Travelling together can be a comfort, because it lets family members be close to one another on the way.
If you are unsure about who should travel where, ask your funeral director. They have helped many families with this question and can suggest what usually works well.
How to Work Out the Number of Cars
A simple count can take the pressure off. Here is a gentle way to approach it.
Start with the people closest to the person who has died. Count the partner, children, parents and siblings who will travel together. Then add any other relatives who would like to join them, such as grandchildren or in-laws. Think about anyone who needs extra help, such as an elderly relative or someone who uses a wheelchair or walking aid.
Next, check the seats. Capacity varies from car to car. Our Mercedes V Class seats up to seven passengers, so you can estimate from there. Leave a little room for comfort rather than filling every seat.
As a rough guide, a small close family may need one car. A medium-sized family with grandchildren and siblings may need two. A larger family or a well-known member of the community may need more. Finally, talk it through with your funeral director. They know the venues and the timings.
Funeral Limousine Hire London: What We Offer
Many families search for funeral limousine hire London. People often use the word limousine for any chauffeur-driven family car. At Black Tie Chauffeur, our funeral transportation service uses cars such as the Mercedes V Class. It offers space, comfort and a quiet presence. Tinted windows give privacy, and climate control and leather seats keep everyone comfortable.
Our service can include:
- Cars to lead or accompany the procession
- Transfers for family and guests from home, a hotel or another pick-up point
- Journeys between several venues, planned as one continuous day
- Bookings for a few hours, half a day or longer
We can plan around a religious ceremony, a cremation or a memorial gathering. Our chauffeurs are discreet, dressed appropriately and calm. We also accommodate last-minute requests whenever possible. The hearse itself is normally arranged by your funeral director.
How to Book Our Cars Through Your Funeral Director
Many families arrange funeral transport through their funeral director. You can do the same with us. Our team can coordinate directly with funeral directors, event planners or family members, so that the cars fit the plan for the day.
Here is how it usually works:
- Tell your funeral director that you would like to use Black Tie Chauffeur for the family cars. Ask whether they are happy to work with an outside provider.
- Share our details with them, or contact us yourself through our Contact Us page and tell us the name of your funeral director.
- Give us the date, the time of the service and the pick-up addresses.
- List each venue, such as the family home, the place of ceremony, the burial ground or crematorium, and the gathering afterwards.
- Tell us how many people will travel and note any mobility needs.
- Ask your funeral director to confirm the procession timings with us, so that everyone follows the same plan.
Funeral directors set their own policies, and some prefer to use their own cars. If yours does, that is their choice, and you are welcome to ask. Please ask for written confirmation of the arrangements, including who will be billed.
Funeral Car Hire Cost: What Affects the Price
Costs vary from family to family, so we do not publish a standard figure here. Several things usually shape the price:
- The number of cars you need
- How long you need them for
- How many places the cars must visit
- The distance between those places
To discuss your plans or receive a bespoke quotation, contact our team. We will explain what is included in plain terms.
If you are using your funeral director’s own cars, check their price list. The Competition and Markets Authority requires funeral directors to publish price information, and its guidance for funeral directors explains how this works. Some packages include a family car, and extra cars usually cost more. Whoever you choose, ask for a written quote that lists exactly what is included.
Practical Tips for the Day
A little planning helps the day feel calmer. Choose one family member to be the main point of contact. Share their phone number with the funeral director and with us.
Tell your funeral director if the road outside the family home is narrow or hard to reach. They can then plan where the cars will wait. Let your chauffeur know about anyone who needs a little extra help getting in or out of the car.
Build in extra time between venues. Rushing adds stress, and a relaxed pace allows the family to pause. Keep a list of addresses and timings where everyone can see it.
Final Thoughts
Arranging funeral cars is a small part of a very big day, but it matters. A clear plan lets your family travel calmly and together. Black Tie Chauffeur is here to help, whether you contact us directly or through your funeral director. Visit our Contact Us page to share your plans, and we will explain the options in plain terms.
“Call us on +44 7832 759 994 whenever you are ready to talk, or visit us at 167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London W1W 5PF.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How many funeral cars do I need?
Most funerals have a hearse plus one or two family cars. Small families may need only one. Larger families may need more. Your funeral director can help you decide.
Who travels in the funeral cars?
The closest family, usually the partner, children and parents, travels in the first car behind the hearse. Other relatives and close friends follow in the next car. There is no legal rule, so families can adapt this to suit them.
Do I have to hire funeral cars?
No. Funeral cars are optional. Some families travel in their own cars. Others prefer to travel together in a chauffeur-driven car, so that no one has to drive or find parking.
Can I book your cars through my funeral director?
Yes. Our team can coordinate directly with funeral directors. You can also contact us yourself and give us your funeral director’s details. Funeral directors set their own policies, so it helps to ask them early.
How much does funeral car hire cost?
It depends on the number of cars, the length of the booking, the places you need to visit and the distance between them. We provide a bespoke quotation once we understand your plans.