Seven permits issued for horse-drawn hearses
Transport Malta has granted seven permits to operators who wish to operate horse-drawn hearses, Transport Minister Austin Gatt has said in Parliament.
The return of the ornate carriages, last seen 40 years ago, was heralded in September last year when one of the carriages was used in a funeral in Msida.
Undertaker Louis Borg said at the time that he was opting to use his old carriages again following public demand. He said he wanted to unearth that sense of respect for the dead that came with the carriages.
Some of his carriages are up to 120 years old.
See: Horse-drawn hearses make a comeback
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090922/local/horse-drawn-hearses-make-a-comeback
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James A. Tyrrell
Mar 17th 2010, 20:44
@t farrugia. I understand your point but really is it too much to be held up for a few minutes in honour of a life, which has passed? I know from personal experience that when my father was buried the local police closed the road off completely due to the large number attending the funeral. The same thing happened during the funeral of one of my cousins. She had been a serving police officer and it was a massive funeral. No one minded being held up and in fact most left their cars and stood along the road to show their respect.
Everything in life today seems to happen at a fast pace. I just feel that this is a nice way to slow things down and believe me it is a beautiful sight to see. Obviously people won't be forced to use a horse drawn hearse and for those in a rush to get into the ground the car is still an option.
Reuben Vella
Mar 17th 2010, 12:06
I think it's a nice idea to revive old traditions, but I also think we need to be practical.
My only question is: "Will these horse-drawn hearses be insured?"
I pay road licence and insurance to be on the road. Will it be the same for these carriages? What will happen if one of these carriages is involved in a traffic? I know it might be remote, but it's a possibility.
Can only one shed some light please?
g.c.Forte
Mar 17th 2010, 09:50
Why on these islands, we ( including me ) start argue and comment on something that has been already issued or implemented. Austin said that,and that is it, everybody bows. It is a fact that all animals especially horses are not covered by any insurance, even the police ones. So when you see a horse on the road, give it the right to go. Everybody knows the problem of our one lane roads, imagine an ambulance or a police car wants to pass through a funeral, because we are talking not just the hearse itself, but another one for the priest, then a "serbut "of cars, behind . Let us not forget that the traffic 40 years ago was quarter than we have today, and we were still using the horse and cart, as to delivering goods. At least they should be used on a particular times " let say 1300 - 1600 Hrs " and not during the rush hours.
Pamela Hansen
Mar 17th 2010, 09:18
It does look grand and will be a tourist attraction.
But this is just another money making ploy.
The dead will not appreciate all the pomp and circumstance and the horse drawn hearses will just add to the chaos on our roads.
Will the horses be wearing nappies?
Or will their droppings be left to fester and stink up the place?
George Pace
Mar 17th 2010, 09:13
Since when is going backwards regarded as respect. What next should I get a horse for my daily travel to work? I guess it would be quite odd for a warden to decide where to lodge a parking ticket should I "park" in a no horse zone!! Come on people this Island has enough s#it to cope with lets not add more road hazards. Will the horses be wearing dipers? Will the hearses be followed by karozzini?? Oh can i tie my horse to a bicycle rack?
t farrugia
Mar 17th 2010, 08:21
@ James A. Tyrrell - i dont know about the roads in Northern Ireland but i know of the Maltese roads many of them being one lane. so there is quite a chance that this will be a traffic problem.
Gina Hall
Mar 17th 2010, 07:34
I feel as though this is a wonderful idea. It shows respect in my opinion people that drive in Malta drive too fast where is the rush? The Island is so small there is no need to drive at that speed, also your putting your life at risk.
I have been to several funerals when a driver overtakes a hearse and found it so disrespectful and very upsetting in my opinion people sould show more respect when they see a hearse and realease what pain their family are going through and show a little bit of compassion.
So what if you have to wait a few minutes behind a horse-drawn hearse is that the end of the world?
James A. Tyrrell
Mar 16th 2010, 20:15
@Anthony Dimech. The point is Anthony isn't it better to be in the jam behind than being the cause of it up front? There are a lot of these being used now in N. Ireland and they don't slow the traffic any more than a conventional hearse. Much more dignified to in my opinion.
A. Borg
Mar 16th 2010, 19:10
Another man made traffic jam is ahead!