I am only 28 and even I know this one really well.
They used to say it was disrespectful to overtake. Although I think this has got slightly lost and forgotten over the years as the older ones have slowly gone.
I would never dream of overtaking on a single carriageway but I have overtaken on a Dc. Although even then I overtake slowly rather then at 80-90 mph like I have seen others do.
As stated its just to show abit of respect for the one who has died, rather then rushing by them with a I don’t care your dead attitude.
I’d overtake, especially if my 9 hours driving time was fast approaching. If it was on a single carriagway, and there was a long straight, and they were doing, say, 30 or 35, I’d probably overtake if nothing was coming the other way.
Has anyone on here driven a loaded hearse ? Someone must have. I can sort of imagine Mr Monk doing it for some reason 
I understand pall bearer work is fairly casual, and I know it sounds strange, but even with four or six bearers I always imagine the coffin to be really heavy… I’d end up letting the thing slip no doubt 
Born Idle:
Where did the prtocol about not overtaking a hearse start? I have no qualms about it, even on a single carriageway.
It`s called respect. but it has all but disappeared from modern society, just like people doffing there cap as a funeral goes past, or holding the door for the person right behind you.
Overtaking a funeral: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=78671
Also see Coffee’s post there.
It’s not disrespectful to overtake…
I guess it would be if you overtook with an Italian horn blowing, mooning out of the window, etc.