Guinness World Record attempt was a grave matter for undertakers (From Your Local Guardian)

Guinness World Record attempt was a grave matter for undertakers

9:10am Tuesday 28th October 2008 in Video news By Kirsty Whalley

Undertakers were dead set on breaking a record with the longest cavalcade of funeral vehicles in the world.

More than 30 hearses from across the country converged on Croydon’s Hilton Hotel on Saturday.

The procession was part of a conference for the British Institute of Funeral Directors (BIFD).

Funeral director Adrian Pink, BIFD president, said that he came up with the convoy idea to boost attendance.

Watch a video of the event

Although he did not quite get the 100 hearses he hoped for, he said that he was pleased that they were able to set a world record with 31 vehicles proceeding through the town.

Members of the public were able to look at the hearses and chat with their owners before the funeral procession began shortly after 2pm.

As well as the more traditional hearses, onlookers were treated to the sight of motorbikes which had their side cars specially modified to carry a coffin, old horse drawn hearses from the 1930s and vintage Rolls Royce’s as well as a Volkswagen Camper and a bright pink hearse.

The procession was led by Scottish Piper Bob Ash and was monitored by a representative from the Guinness World Records who confirmed the record.

All the fundraising proceeds from the event will go to the President’s Charity for 2007-2008, Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The funeral products and services exhibition ran alongside the conference on Saturday to give the public a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes in a world that is often shrouded in mystery and surrounded by misconception.