Knightly escorts to horse-drawn carriages

I read with great interest the article about horse-drawn funerals making a comeback (September 22). I am very glad that Louis Borg's family made the decision to reactivate their 120-year-old carriages which had formerly been in storage, long after other undertakers had switched to motorised vehicles. What once was considered old or outdated will likely become fashionable again.

It was interesting to read about the separate priest's carriage, which would also transport the altar boy carrying a large cross sticking out of a window in conformity with tradition. The article noted how bystanders would immediately stop, bow their heads and make the sign-of-the-cross upon seeing the carriages, and then respectfully yield as the procession went on its way. In these modern times, many people will notice a funeral procession - but fewer will pay it the full measure of respect it deserves. The old-time carriage reminds us to be mindful that a fellow human-being has died.

I am reminded that centuries ago, the Knights of Malta, the Knights Templar and the ancient Knights of the Rose Croix served as "Knightly escorts" for funeral processions to cemeteries.

They weren't simply an "Honour Guard", but acted in their full capacity on foot and in cavalry postures to protect the living while escorting the coffin carrying the deceased's remains to its final resting-place. The quiet dignity of a horse-drawn hearse provides a fitting salute to any person who respects horses and who has an appreciation for the history, dignity and solemnity of when life passes away.

I, myself, hope to live to a ripe old age; but when I die I would like my remains to be carried in a horse-drawn hearse along the pathway to the plot of land designated as my resting place.

The peaceful sights and sounds of a slow moving horse-drawn hearse certainly makes a funeral "a moment to remember". That trait is often lacking in today's culture which too frequently treats death with a cold stiffness by the use of clinical wording in obituaries and in death certificates. Our modern culture has created a notion that death isn't really "real".

I am thankful for the older horse-drawn funeral carriages. They provide a certain ambience by giving character to the proceedings. They remind us as a society to mentally say "Whoa, whoa"; to slow down and smell the roses of life before they are transformed into a bouquet of flowers marking our grave. The final journey by the funeral cortege is the final time that the living can "pay their last respects" to the deceased. I wish Mr Borg and his family much success with restoring the old carriages and making it a popular and profitable venture once again.