As much as we all love being in the driving seat, few of us take the wheel for our last journey by car. Instead, it’s up to our loved ones to pick a suitable carriage to place us in our final resting place. If you’re lucky enough to live in the UK, and you’re unequivocally rally mad, your family and friends might deem it suitable to send you off in a Subaru WRX, converted into a hearse.
The oddball creation is the work of Final Journey Funeral Cars, an aptly-named business if there ever was one. The company elected to convert a Subaru WRX wagon into a hearse, given the need to fit an adult coffin and out of due respect for the dead. The car has been duly finished in a racing livery aping the famous Subaru rally cars, which wore the blue and yellow “555” graphics for years of competition. The look is matched by the turbo flat-four engine, known anywhere for its rumbly exhaust note courtesy of its uneven-length exhaust headers.
As it’s based on a more compact vehicle, the WRX is not as roomy as conventional hearses. Indeed, the coffin itself protrudes into what would normally be the front passenger area. However, the company notes there is some room to place a floral tribute on top of the coffin or off to one side. The car is available across the UK, and Final Journey is happy to work with a customer’s funeral director of choice. The car is clearly labeled along the sideskirts, too, to avoid any awkward confusion on a somber day.
https://www.facebook.com/finaljourneyfuneralcars/posts/pfbid0nDVofKMSWxGyhMmYJpeNVg8J4Bov2oDKmLCRG1FRi17Lb2Ai8nGFFbs2VsmJeYwCl
Final Journey isn’t resting on its laurels, either. Not everyone is a big Subaru fan, after all. The company is looking to expand its fleet in future, adding converted Minis for fans of the brand or The Italian Job, often said to be Michael Caine’s finest ever work. As you might expect, the conversions will be based on a Mini Clubman to ensure there’s enough space in the interior available.
It’s obviously not a full rally-spec build, but that’s kind of missing the point. It’s a service that ultimately caters to the family of car lovers, and that’s something to be appreciated. Often, even the small personal details can bring a smile to a grief-stricken family member or a long-lost friend.
https://www.facebook.com/finaljourneyfuneralcars/photos/pb.100057422560697.-2207520000/600265571656845/?type=3
Seeing Terry or Jenny being carried in by their favorite car probably bring on floods of tears, for sure, but it’s a beautiful way to remember someone for the energy and joy they brought to life and the things that mattered to them. A tip of the hat well in order, methinks.
Do I get priority service if I have… Hearse Gold?
Can i pay extra to be launched into the grave with a scandi flick?
Every time I see a slow funeral procession, I tell my family how much they frustrate me; but only because it’s such a missed opportunity.
Dedicated car? police escort? Can run traffic lights?
Obviously they should be driving as fast as possible! Every Hearst driver should have to have track time training requirements. I want to go out in style!! … at 100mph+
And if you’re in the procession, you’re free to try to keep up, but don’t worry, we’ll try to leave some champagne for you at the winners-circle / cemetery.
Put me in this and I’ll haunt you.
Lancers 4 lyfe (and death),
Stef
Is it a manual? Because when I go to ground for the final time, I want a dead stick landing.
I tried to buy a hearse a couple of times in high school, but they always had major issues, be it rot or rod knock, so when I ended up with an ’84 Subaru wagon, I did it up as a hearse for Halloween. With the frameless windows, the curtains had to be secured to the roof, which made getting in and out annoying to whoever ended up having to sit in back.
I guess that this is one way to ensure that you are not late for your own funeral.
They need to be sure there is room in the coffin for the deceased’s favourite vape.
I hear they don’t keep funeral cars around long, cause it would be embarrassing for them to break down; I want to buy this & turn it into a one-man camper.
Uh, not too soon, is it?
Funeral cars have extremely long service lives, actually, there’s a couple funeral homes around me that are still running 1993-96 Cadillac Fleetwoods. They don’t rack up a lot of miles or see a lot of abuse and are generally kept well maintained
Yeah: it was a poor attempt at humour
I’m assuming the undertakers show up in like, blue Alpinestars suits or something?
Well it’s certainly more dignified than having to roll in the Chevy Trahearse. But then again….at that point, who even cares? Set my dead ass on fire and yeet the ashes into a pretty body of water while blasting the Chacarron.
Do they have any Pintos, in case you want to be cremated?
Clever comment!
You can also hire a Ferrari for upgraded services.
Interesting. When I was 10, my grandfather passed away. But there was no hearse involved after the funeral. Oh no. They loaded the casket into the back of his mid-80s, red and white Chevy pickup truck, complete with bed topper. For some reason the family had me ride in the truck, and you could hear the casket sliding around in the back.
When we arrived at the cemetery, they put me in the driver’s seat and had me drive the rest of the way to where my grandfather is buried. And that’s the story of the first time I ever drove a vehicle.
Nothing like a long bed when you’re heading for the long nap. Hope this didn’t scar you for life.
That is wild. I also can’t believe that they didn’t tie the casket down. Imagine hitting the gas and granddad flies out the back of the truck.
I was thinking that would be the perfect way to drop the casket into the grave.
Alright kid, put the truck in reverse and hit the gas. When you’re 3 feet from the hole, slam on the brakes!