Flower cars still working ??

It is kinda a regional thing. They are still being used a lot in the northeast, atlanta area mainly by black firms. I am sure others here can let us know what areas are using these great cars. They are about as common as they have always been I think.
 
Lawrence E. Moon in Flint

A large african=american firm has the very first Florale. at least two firms in detroit still using them. Leak in Chicago also has an Eagle ca. 1994-96.
 
A local firm near me has and early-mid 2000 Eagle standard wheelbase open well Cadillac flower car that gets uses from ocassionally, I see it once or twice a year usually. The one down the street from me at laeast used to have an early 80s El Camino that they used, but I havent seen it in a couple of years so it might be gone.
I also know of one older one(67 Superior) and heard of others that are tucked away at funeral homes, Im not sure if they ever come out for service use though. Thats all Im sure of in my area/County.
 
Until recently, Dovin Funeral Home in Lorain, Ohio was using a '67 flower car. They sold it to Tim Fantin a couple of months ago. Also, Stewart and Calhoun Funeral Home in Akron (PCS members) have flower cars in their fleet and I believe that Hummel in Akron does too.
 
I have purchased two flower cars that have been recently retired from current service: 1973 Superior Flower Car -Orange Mound Mortuary-Orange Mound TN,(Memphis), and 1999 Eagle Cadillac Coupe De Fleur- AR Leak&Sons-Chicago.
 
This one will bring a tear to a lot of members eyes here. This is the Eagle Coupe de Fluer that was used on Bernie DeWinters funeral services in Dayton Ohio December 11, 2008 as it was leaving the funeral home in route to Calvary Cemetery. It was brought up from Cincinnati by Carl Woerner and Dale Cooper.

Jeremy D. Ledford photo.
 

Attachments

  • Bernie DeWinter's Funeral 12-11-07 060.jpg
    Bernie DeWinter's Funeral 12-11-07 060.jpg
    93.8 KB · Views: 472
Here are a couple more photos from that day with one of of Brady placing the floral tributes on the deck of the coach.

Jeremy D. Ledford photos.
 

Attachments

  • Brady Smith placing flowers on coach..jpg
    Brady Smith placing flowers on coach..jpg
    89.3 KB · Views: 538
  • Bernie DeWinter's Funeral 12-11-07 043.jpg
    Bernie DeWinter's Funeral 12-11-07 043.jpg
    87.6 KB · Views: 464
  • Bernie DeWinter's Funeral 12-11-07 037.jpg
    Bernie DeWinter's Funeral 12-11-07 037.jpg
    86 KB · Views: 476
No pics, but when I was with Iocovozzi's back in Herkimer County NY, he had 2 and seperate times.

Last time I was up visiting he said he is looking to get a 2000 Linc off and SCI firm.
 
When a funeral home uses a flower car, do they also use a hearse? Or, do they place the casket into the back of the flower car during the funeral procession?
 
For instance the Eagle that I posted can also be used as the funeral coach as well as it served in Bernie's funeral services.
 
A young man I met at the NJ show (not a member) that I have occasional exchanges with, tells me a couple of the local homes there rent his '84 McLain flower car. The homes in my area tend to put a big tray in their Blazers or just squeeze a few arraingments beside the casket in the coach.
 
there are a few still here in Memphis, I know of a funeral home that has 2 a mid 90's and a 75 for special request and another that has a late 80's fwd flower car that is used as a primary car for services. The 73 that was in Orange Mound car was a Memphis car bought new if I remeber correctly and the funeral home that had it last sold it and the other they had after the late owner died and his son took over. There use to be a 67 rust free sitting at a funeral home in Memphis that was never used but has disappeared and I dont know where it went. Not in use but there is a 61 superior flower car sitting behind a funeral home in Collierville, TN.
 
I now own the 1973 Superior Cadillac Flower Car from Orange Mound in Memphis. I am third owner and it was a two funeral home car having spent all it's time in Memphis since new. I would be interested in this 1975 you speak of.....
 
I now own the 1973 Superior Cadillac Flower Car from Orange Mound in Memphis. I am third owner and it was a two funeral home car having spent all it's time in Memphis since new. I would be interested in this 1975 you speak of.....

The 75 is a bondo filled rust bucket. That 73 was a nice car and treasured by the late owner of the funeral home. I could not believe when I saw it on cws site I figured the family would have never sold it I guess I should have called that day I saw it sitting outside the funeral home with a car cover on it..Darn. They had that one and a late 90's fwd flower car they used all the time. They were the only firm in Memphis with those colors so you always knew who it was when you saw them coming down the road.

Here some pics of the 73 on the late Mr. Harrison's Funeral
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...71840221577.2075320.1402656236&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...71863462158.2075321.1402656236&type=1&theater
 
Last edited:
Back
Top