TR> Most funeral services are very comparable to a church service. There is 
TR> usually a pastor there reading from a Bible, giving a sermon, and
TR> consoling 
TR> the family of the deceased. There is usually a similar, but shorter,
TR> service 
TR> at the grave site. The procession to the cemetary is part of the funeral 
TR> service, otherwise there would never be a burial. This is why most 
TR> jurisdictions recognize the entire process as a funeral service, just
TR> another 
TR> type of church service. As a result, most jurisdictions have laws related
TR> to 
TR> the peace and dignity of the service, including the procession to the 
TR> cemetary. I realize there are some people who don't believe in God and 
TR> wouldn't have a pastor in charge of the service, but the same laws would 
TR> apply.
I don't mean to play devil's advocate here, but you sure it wasn't to make 
sure the dead and the friends and family that lost them were respected?  That 
makes more sense than them respecting a church service to me.
Peace.
--- CNet/3
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