The Dead Society hearse club is located in Detroit, Michigan and is Detroit's official hearse club. The Society was founded in 2004 by former president Todd LaRosa and former vice president Chris Fetko. The Dead Society was founded on the grounds that it would be like no other hearse club doing what it wants, when it wants, how it wants, answering to no one, and taking the hearse experience to another level. What makes The Dead Society different from most other clubs is you don't actually need a hearse to join, you just need to possess the passion for funeral coaches. So if you like what you hear then come join the society, The Dead Society.
Q. What are you people and this hearse thing about?
A. We are like minded individuals who have a similar affinity or interest in hearses/funeral related things and like having fun who have grouped together to better facilitate the sharing of ideas.
Q. Do you have events and meetings?
A. Yes, we go to car shows and have get togethers, barbecues, and hang out cruising around town. To find out about these events you can check the main page.
Q. Are you people gothic?
A. Some of our members call themselves that. If you can define what "gothic" is then we'll tell you if we are or not (in other words it depends on the member, but as a general rule no).
Q. Do you rob graves? Are you into necrophilia?
A. NO! While some of our members may joke about it we do not believe in these acts or any others that disrespects the deceased and have no respect for those who do.
Q. I joined the forum/gallery/mailing list/myspace and/or signed the guest book and/or went to an event and/or a member gave me a button. Am I a member now?
A. No, you have to actually request to become a member.
Q. How do I request membership and actually join then?
A. Just e-mail us your name, address, phone number, and if you have a hearse the make, model, and year with a picture. A picture of yourself would be nice as well but it's also not required. You can also talk to any member in person and tell them you wish to join.
Q. Can I belong to any other hearse clubs as well?
A. Yes, however you pledge your loyalty to our club first.
Q. But I live in a far off land and can't make it to events, can I still join?
A. While the bulk of the club is based in the Detroit Michigan area this is also an online/multinational club, so you can live in any state, country, or continent and still become a member.
Q. I'm close enough to make it to events but have a very busy schedule and can't make most of them.
A. While we would prefer you to attend as many of our events as possible, you don't have to attend any events to be a member and you can exist purely online although we're not sure why you would want to.
Q. I'm a (insert religion here) can I still join?
A. As long as you don't push your religion or views on anyone you're fine. This rule also applies to politics, sports, and pizza toppings.
Q. Do I need to own a hearse to join?
A. No, you don't actually need a hearse to join our club, you just need the same appreciation and enthusiasm for them as the members who own hearses do.
Q. What are the restrictions for members who want to modify their hearses?
A. There are none, go as crazy with them as you want or keep them original. It's completely up to you.
Q. What are the member ranks?
A. All members had equal power at one time, but we didn't think that was fair. Power in the club is now determined by the following:
Q. Do you charge any fees or dues?
A. No as we think that's stupid.
Q. Do you accept donations?
A. Donations are gladly accepted in person and will be thrown into the clubs coffer. Also if we hold an event you can help out if you want but it's not required (Example: at a barbecue, you can bring food or drinks).
Q. Do you make anything off the merchandise you sell.
A. Every item purchased in the CafePress store donates one dollar ($1.00) USD to the clubs coffer.
Q. What does the money go to?
A. Club events, parties, domain name registration for the website, anything else club related.
Q. I can't sign up to the forum/gallery, what's wrong?
A. Ask the webmaster (Scary Guy) for assistance in creating an account as account creation seems to work for some people and not others. Currently both are down so this doesn't even matter till he gets it back up.
Q. What browsers can I use to view the site?
A. This site is designed to work primarily with Mozilla Firefox with full functionality, however it has also been tested and has proven to work in Opera, Internet Explorer and Lynx as well.
Q. What resolution should I view the site at?
A. This site is designed to work with almost any monitor resolution down to a minimum of 800X600.
Q. What is the difference between a "hearse" and a "hurst"?
A. Hurst is a type of shifter, a band, another band, a safety company, a boiler company, a chemical company, a woman who writes children's books, and even a city in Texas. However it is not a funeral coach, that is a hearse.
Q. Are they really that hard to park?
A. Little side mirrors meant for the original car, no rear side windows (and those that are there have curtains on them), and an extended chassis (body) don't make it that easy. So yes, but you get used to it after a while.
Q. Do they use a lot of gas?
A. Yes, especially the older ones. These weren't built for long road trips and they're meant to carry a heavy weight (the car body is heavy enough as it is without a casket in the back) so they generally have V8 engines in them that will eat a ton of gas. The older ones also require a lead additive in the fuel mixture to function correctly.
Q. Are strobe/beacon lights legal, and if so what colors.
A. Strobe lights are only legal if you're parked (and off a public road, though I'm still checking into that). On private property they are perfectly legal. If you're actually in a funeral procession then the only colors that are legal are amber and purple (the purple varies by state) and only from the funeral home to the church/cemetery with at least one car following the lead funeral coach. But this is information I found for Michigan. Check your local state and city ordinances for exact rules.
Q. What are "berrer pins" / "casket/coffin stops"
A. These are the pins that keep the casket in place during transportation. They go on the ends of the casket and have pads on them. They fit into holes in the bed of the hearse and keep it quite still.
Q. What is a moving table/bed, what is an "electric table"?
A. A moving table/bed is one that slides out to help facilitate the loading of the casket. An electric table is one that has a motor on it which automates the table movement in and out of the car.
Q. What is the difference between an "end loader" and a "three way"
A. An end loader hearse is the typical one where you load the casket from the rear "end" of the car. A three way means you can remove the casket from either side of the hearse as well. "Three ways" typically have reversed "suicide" doors for the rear side doors and a moving table/bed.
Q. What is "commercial glass"?
A. Most hearses come with commercial glass which means the glass used in the windows is taller than the glass on standard vehicles of that type. This is because the roof is raised to allow more room for the casket. There is also generally more headroom in the front as well. Typically it's also more expensive to replace than standard glass as well.
Q. What is an "ambulance hearse" / "combination car"?
A. These were hearses designed to double as ambulances in small towns and communities. The funeral home would double as the doctors office. The side panels on the car come off revealing windows and there are pull up seats in the bed. Plugs for medical equipment and heating and cooling run to the back as well.
Q. What is a "flower car"?
A. These are coaches that can carry a casket, however they have an open back end (like a truck bed or El Camino) for carrying flowers either on top of the casket, or following the lead coach which carries the casket.
Q. What are some rare things about hearses?
A. Well Scary Guy's has a 1/2 vinyl top, that's kind of rare.
Q. Where should I look to buy a hearse?
A. You should try E-Bay Motors, Craigs List.com, the Grim Rides classifieds section, and .C. W. Coach for starters. Be sure to shop around to find the best value and increase your chances of getting what you really want as well. Don't jump on the first sweet deal you see either just because it's there, wait for something that really catches your heart.
Q. What is the going rate for a new/used hearse.
A. New hearses (less than 5 years old) typically go for between $60,000 and $75,000. I've heard the really nice professional ones go for up to $100,000. Ones between 10 and 5 years go for between $20,000 and $50,000. Used ones vary with age and features with the condition of the car and amount produced of that type taken into consideration. Obviously everything is only worth what the market is willing to pay for it.
Q. Are there haunted hearses?
A. No, though some people might claim other wise. The theory here is that spirits of the dead will hang around places they know and are used to, generally where they lived and went when they were alive. They don't want to hang out in a funeral coach/cemetery... Unless they were a former enthusiast like we are. In which case you can relax because you're in good company.
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Last updated on 2008-07-19 at 08:37
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