1965 Cadillac Superior Crown Hearse "Elli"
In this ever-changing world we live in, it becomes quite easy to forget the traditions of our past. As a kid, I was afraid of all things related to death, which is often vilified by our modern society. But when I was thirteen and already fascinated by vintage cars from the twenties through the sixties, I watched “Ghostbusters” for the first time. I became enamored with the 1959 Cadillac ambulance that was featured in the film.
Ah, you never forget your first hearse. A destined turn of events led me to locate an original 1959 Cadillac hearse of almost the same model as the ambulance in the film. It was then that I first understood the meaning of the vehicle; a lavish transport designed for the sole purpose of escorting our dearly departed to their final resting place. I wasn’t afraid of the dark anymore.
Why did this old hearse spark such a shift in my perception? If you’ve never spent some quality time with a hearse, here’s a thing that becomes apparent straight away: hearses are metaphysical, metaphorical, and sometimes physical gateways from this world to the next. They define our departure with dignity and class, providing those we leave behind with a sense of closure. They bring a silent connection to a door our society has locked tight. They say, “Death is death. It happens to us all, and it’s OK.” I often ponder this as I look at my fleet of six (and counting) death carriages in my backyard.
I have often been asked, “Aren’t they creepy to drive?” The answer varies depending on the individual hearse. There are three basic types of commercial vehicles that fall under the category of “hearse.” The most common variety is the purpose-built hearse, designed for the transportation of bodies. The second type is what the industry refers to as a combination vehicle, a hearse that could be used as either body transport or an ambulance (more common in small towns in decades gone by). The third, and almost forgotten, hearse is theflower car. This vehicle was designed to go ahead of or trail behind the hearse to carry a vast array of flowers in honor of the deceased. They could also carry a body and were often built on a hearse chassis.
In my personal experience, the purpose-built hearses are what I would call “happy hearses.” Their task one of respect and honor, the energies around these hearses are of a positive nature. They are usually quite pleasant companions on the road. Thecombination vehicles are a more tumultuous bunch, as they both respect the dead and sometimes have to fight for the living. People don’t generally die or experience great fear and pain in hearses, but they do in ambulances. A hearse used as a combination vehicle could have the same passenger twice… To me, an ambulance is more haunting than any hearse. A hearse with a combination history can be interesting indeed. (My wife says to give them some love, too. They’ve had a hard life.)
So what is the point of all of this hearse-related babble? Most things today are cookie cutter and slapped together just to make a quick buck. Vintage hearses are finely crafted examples of our respect for the departed, and ultimately, for their life. Choosing to admire such an integral part of our past can provide a window to the future, and facing our inevitable death in a positive, respectful, and classy way leads us to a more gratifying and appreciative life. Hearses are not meant to be intimidating; rather, they are a symbol, if not a catalyst, for the good at the end of the road. To destroy a hearse is no different than desecrating a tombstone, so let us honor the hearses by giving them the respect they deserve.
Ah, you never forget your first hearse. A destined turn of events led me to locate an original 1959 Cadillac hearse of almost the same model as the ambulance in the film. It was then that I first understood the meaning of the vehicle; a lavish transport designed for the sole purpose of escorting our dearly departed to their final resting place. I wasn’t afraid of the dark anymore.
Why did this old hearse spark such a shift in my perception? If you’ve never spent some quality time with a hearse, here’s a thing that becomes apparent straight away: hearses are metaphysical, metaphorical, and sometimes physical gateways from this world to the next. They define our departure with dignity and class, providing those we leave behind with a sense of closure. They bring a silent connection to a door our society has locked tight. They say, “Death is death. It happens to us all, and it’s OK.” I often ponder this as I look at my fleet of six (and counting) death carriages in my backyard.
I have often been asked, “Aren’t they creepy to drive?” The answer varies depending on the individual hearse. There are three basic types of commercial vehicles that fall under the category of “hearse.” The most common variety is the purpose-built hearse, designed for the transportation of bodies. The second type is what the industry refers to as a combination vehicle, a hearse that could be used as either body transport or an ambulance (more common in small towns in decades gone by). The third, and almost forgotten, hearse is theflower car. This vehicle was designed to go ahead of or trail behind the hearse to carry a vast array of flowers in honor of the deceased. They could also carry a body and were often built on a hearse chassis.
In my personal experience, the purpose-built hearses are what I would call “happy hearses.” Their task one of respect and honor, the energies around these hearses are of a positive nature. They are usually quite pleasant companions on the road. Thecombination vehicles are a more tumultuous bunch, as they both respect the dead and sometimes have to fight for the living. People don’t generally die or experience great fear and pain in hearses, but they do in ambulances. A hearse used as a combination vehicle could have the same passenger twice… To me, an ambulance is more haunting than any hearse. A hearse with a combination history can be interesting indeed. (My wife says to give them some love, too. They’ve had a hard life.)
So what is the point of all of this hearse-related babble? Most things today are cookie cutter and slapped together just to make a quick buck. Vintage hearses are finely crafted examples of our respect for the departed, and ultimately, for their life. Choosing to admire such an integral part of our past can provide a window to the future, and facing our inevitable death in a positive, respectful, and classy way leads us to a more gratifying and appreciative life. Hearses are not meant to be intimidating; rather, they are a symbol, if not a catalyst, for the good at the end of the road. To destroy a hearse is no different than desecrating a tombstone, so let us honor the hearses by giving them the respect they deserve.
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