Springdale Funeral Homes React To No More Police Escorts
By: Tyler Thomason
Updated: January 17, 2013
"When we sit here and make arrangements for the funeral, it's very common for a family member to ask me, 'will we be able to have an escort to go to the cemetery?'"
Police escorts -- laid to rest in Springdale.
"It will change our funerals," says Kye Stokenbury, manager of Memorial Funeral Home.
He says the escorts helped everyone gather at the gravesite at the same time.
"Hopefully, the families understand that we're either going to have to conclude the service here at the chapel, or at the church, or just meet in as timely a matter as possible to conclude there, and not try to go together because of the dangers," Stokenbury says.
Springdale police chief Kathy O'Kelley disagrees.
"I don't think it really impacts their operations. You may not have everyone arrive to the burial site at the same time, but they will all arrive there."
Springdale police says a lack of resources combined with an overload of risk -- led them to discontinue providing a convoy for caskets in this city of nearly 70,000.
"That's truly when accidents do happen for most law enforcement is during that trying to get ahead of that precession to the next intersection," O'Kelley says.
Funeral directors say the police escort has become a tradition in Springdale, providing a sense of safety while also showing a sign of respect that families have become used to.
"We get so many comments from families saying, 'Did you see that officer standing at attention when we drove by? He didn't know my dad, or 'my loved one,'" Stokenbury says.
O'Kelley adds: "Nobody wants to make an unpopular decision, this certainly isn't one i look forward to making, or personally, really want to support, but from a business point of view, it's essential."
Police escorts -- laid to rest in Springdale.
"It will change our funerals," says Kye Stokenbury, manager of Memorial Funeral Home.
He says the escorts helped everyone gather at the gravesite at the same time.
"Hopefully, the families understand that we're either going to have to conclude the service here at the chapel, or at the church, or just meet in as timely a matter as possible to conclude there, and not try to go together because of the dangers," Stokenbury says.
Springdale police chief Kathy O'Kelley disagrees.
"I don't think it really impacts their operations. You may not have everyone arrive to the burial site at the same time, but they will all arrive there."
Springdale police says a lack of resources combined with an overload of risk -- led them to discontinue providing a convoy for caskets in this city of nearly 70,000.
"That's truly when accidents do happen for most law enforcement is during that trying to get ahead of that precession to the next intersection," O'Kelley says.
Funeral directors say the police escort has become a tradition in Springdale, providing a sense of safety while also showing a sign of respect that families have become used to.
"We get so many comments from families saying, 'Did you see that officer standing at attention when we drove by? He didn't know my dad, or 'my loved one,'" Stokenbury says.
O'Kelley adds: "Nobody wants to make an unpopular decision, this certainly isn't one i look forward to making, or personally, really want to support, but from a business point of view, it's essential."
