That’s precisely what one movie theater in Pennslyvania did. They rented a funeral car to transport 35 millimeter film after converting their movies to digital.

Movie theaters all across America are having to make the conversion. Hollywood studios have announced that they will be making and distributing completely in digital format as early as next year. That means that movie theaters will have to make the conversion as well or they will be relics of the past. We may need funeral processions for them as well.

It’s a fitting token of respect, especially when you consider that Hollywood itself has often used funeral cars as props in its movies. Now, the movies are being used as props in the funeral cars.

I’m sure that funeral cars have been used for much worse. There are some creative and, perhaps, uncanny ways that funeral cars can be of service. Any way you look at it, it all boils down to showing the proper respect for the deceased – whether the deceased be persons or technology.

Well, recently, Biemme Special Cars has built the most luxurious funeral car ever. And it’s built using a Rolls Royce concept. The Phantom. In fact, this new funeral car is called the Rolls Royce Phantom Hearse.

Don’t worry. It’s not as menacing as it sounds. It’s actually quite attractive.

The Phantom Hearse was built using a 6.75-liter V12 engine. And, yes, you can say “Wow!” On top of that, it sits on a self-leveling air suspension and is built entirely of aluminum. How much luxury can you handle?

Rolls Royce is synonymous with luxury. They don’t make cars that slouch, so you can bet the Phantom Hearse is a funeral car worth financing. Even at $662,000.

There is no substitute for luxury and class. World-class funeral directors know this. And their customers know it too. That’s why Heritage Coach is looking forward to actually seeing the Rolls Royce Phantom Hearse hit the market. Someone somewhere is going to want one, and someone somewhere is going to want to escort their family to the other side with one. They deserve that dignity for the life they lived, and you deserve to be the one to give it to them.

Besides being spacious and dignified, the Lincoln Majestic is comfortable and smooth. Standard features include:

• Heavy-duty Lincoln chassis
• Full vinyl top
• S&S coach lights
• Lincoln leather seats
• Cloth headliner
• One-piece cloth drapery
• Cloth or vinyl interior sidewall
• Laminate rear compartment flooring
• Three-piece rear partition glass
• Closed church truck
• Rear bumper loading lights
• And much more

S&S funeral cars, hearses, and limousines have always been full of grace and the 2011 S&S Lincoln Majestic Standard Glass is no different. The optional features prove it.

• Oval rear windows
• Flag staff holder
• Rodded, two-piece deluxe drapery
• Manual or electric extend table
• Stainless steel applique area
• Open church truck well
• One-piece rear partition glass
• Turn signal strobe lights
• Beacon ray roof
• Back-up sensor
• Carpeted bumper protector
• Gold tone package
• Sliding drapes
• Rear compartment carpeting
• Custom-dyed roof vinyl
• Engine block heater
• Dual battery

And these are just for starters.

The dimensions of the 2011 S&S Lincoln Majestic Standard Glass are nothing to slough off either. It’s a glorious ride and your funeral customers will feel regal all around.

• Overall length = 253.4″
• Overall height = 72″
• Overall width= 78.2″
• Usable casket floor length = 116″
• Loading door height = 38″
• Loading door width = 46″
• Loading door angle = 121″

If you’re looking for more reasons to add this funeral vehicle to your fleet, it’s a Sayers & Scovill. What more do you need?

First, it’s important to understand that, according to the solar roadway inventor, this scenario does more than provide funeral car drivers with a new system of road. It also is a step in getting America’s vehicles – including hearses and funeral cars – off of fossil fuel and solving the complications of the energy situation.

Specifically, solar roadways have implications in the following areas:

• Cleaning up America’s landfills
• Inventing a new power grid that is delivered to homes, businesses, and other users through the roadway eliminating power lines everywhere
• Migration from petroleum-based asphalt roads to roads made of glass and LED nodes
• Potential for every car on the road including funeral cars to be 100% powered by electric energy
• Reduction of your, and our collective, carbon footprint

That’s a big dream, huh?

According to inventor Scott Brusaw, it’s doable. In fact, he says solar roadways could pay for themselves while powering your funeral business, your funeral car, and the entire nation. The big question is, what would your electric funeral car service center look like once this solar roadway system is complete? I don’t think anyone thought to ask him that.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, it could very well be distracting to drivers.

New discussions at the DOT may lead to legislation that requires auto makers to block such technology inside vehicles. But you know as well as we do that in-dash technology isn’t the problem. Many drivers use their cell phones for talking and texting while driving. That is much more harmful than GPS navigation.

Naturally, the automobile industry is challenging the DOTs train of thought. As well it should.

Some in-dash technology can benefit funeral car drivers while conducting their normal business. GPS is one such technology. But what about Internet browsing? What if you have a client ask a question and you want to ensure that the information you provide is accurate? A quick Internet search would solve the problem, right?

We’d caution you against conducting the search while driving, but let’s not blame the technology for the irresponsibility of certain drivers.

The first Superior Cadillac Limousine was produced in 1923 and that is where the quality workmanship associated with these funeral vehicles started. It has a number of exciting and functional features including a vinyl roof, electric steel doors, and much more. Let’s explore some of the features that make it special.

Heavy-duty chassis
The heavy-duty chassis on this model makes it a real work horse and gives it the ability to carry not only the additional length and weight of the bodywork, but also enables it to carry extra weight in the back. This is a helpful feature for occasions where additional strength is needed to counter weight in the back.

Full vinyl top
The full vinyl top of the 2011 Superior Cadillac Statesman Standard Glass gives its a feel of luxury and style while covering up welded body seams.

Cadillac leather seats
The leather seats in this model add a little luxury and enhance both the appearance of the vehicle and the driving experience. The smell of the leather alone is enough to evoke a sense of pride, but it is also easy to maintain and clean and is very durable.

Low-profile floor
The low profile floor of the 2011 Superior Cadillac Statesman Standard Glass makes it easy to load or offload due to the lower profile. Essentially the back of the vehicle is significantly lower than the front and this makes it easier to move coffins in or out of the back.

Rear-passenger air vents and tissue dispenser
These features focus more on the passengers and the air vents ensure that any passengers traveling in these vehicles are comfortable at all times. The built-in rear-seat tissue dispenser in the passenger’s section is a must-have feature and may seem trivial but is a good way to provide clients with the level of service they expect.

Remote start
This feature allows you to start the vehicle without having to go outside or excuse yourself. It’s easy to start it and let the engine warm up, even on the coldest of days, and saves having to head outside and do it manually during or after a service. This helps cut down on any unnecessary interruptions.

These are only a few features of the 2011 Superior Cadillac Statesman Standard Glass, but they all combine to offer a respectful and elegant option to any professional in the funeral business. Your clients’ expectations will be met, if not exceeded, with this hearse, and you’ll be able to deliver top-quality service while doing so in comfort and luxury. The attention to detail and abundance of special features makes this vehicle great value while delivering it all in a flawlessly-stylish package.

Every dime you spend on vehicles for your fleet means less profit for your funeral business. That’s why buying earlier can save you a bundle.

Kelley Blue Book is the go-to source for new and used car values and has provided an excellent service to auto consumers for many years. If they say prices are going up, then I think the wise consumer should believe them. According to KBB, trade-in values for full-size vehicles went up .5% during one week in January 2012 alone.

With used car prices on the rise and gasoline prices on the rise, you’ll have to look for value somewhere in managing a fleet of funeral cars and hearses. You’ll have to look for places to save money to increase your bottom line. You don’t want that to be in maintenance.

Therefore, buy your used funeral car earlier and you’ll save money on the purchase price. That will affect your profits as well.

Economy-size vehicles aside, let’s get down to the brass tacks. Cadillac and S&S are great names. They’re value in themselves. But funeral cars are beginning to come equipped with many other features that can add to the luxury value in the name.

Here are a few of the technological advancements driving funeral car values in 2012:

• Bluetooth technology
• USB connections
• Extra airbags
• Green technology such as hybrid engines and all-electric funeral cars
• Additional safety features such as stability control

Some of these technologies may not be on the market for funeral cars just yet, but you can bet they will come. We’re already seeing funeral cars and hearses with Bluetooth capability. And, of course, additional airbags.

One of the main drivers of value in an era of rising fuel prices is fuel economy, and that’s where you can find the best value as a funeral director in charge of a fleet of vehicles that are expected to deliver a return on investment. Automakers are expecting fuel prices to rise by 5% per year up through 2025. At the same time, hybrid vehicles promise up to 50 mpg in fuel efficiency. Electric vehicles even better than that.

If you see your funeral vehicles in the parts & service department of your local dealer too often, you could see your funeral profits dwindling fast. So offering increased passenger safety and comfort could affect your bottom line.

For over a century the company has built limousines and other vehicles with comfort, safety, and “peerless structural integrity.” The 2011 S&S Lincoln with 46” Standard Glass is a timeless option that will serve your company reliably for years to come. It comes with all of the standard features you need, which include:

• a heavy-duty chassis
• full vinyl top
• leather seats with matching vinyl center seat
• die-stamped, one-piece galvanized steel doors
• wide-opening center doors for easy transport
• full-size spare tire
• rear-passenger air vents
• rear-seat tissue dispenser
• low-profile floor
• power center door windows
• heater under seat

In this delicate business it is important to ensure that grieving loved ones travel in comfort as well. The S&S Lincoln also offers a list of options that can enhance the transportation experience as much as possible during an emotional time. A partial list of these options for the 46” Standard Glass limousine include

• executive raised roof
• vanity mirrors
• flag staff holders
• directional lighting
• stainless steel applique area
• black, door edge guards
• cornering strobe lights
• dual front strobes
• Sonic Sentinel back-up sensor
• engine block heater
• lower chrome molding
• custom paint

The dimensions of the S&S Lincoln 46” ensure that there is plenty of headroom and legroom for all passengers and that the length and width can easily accommodate any and all funeral needs. The wheelbase is designed to ensure a smooth, quiet ride.

In a profession that is all about respectful presentation, it is important to have funeral vehicles that reflect these ideals. They serve as a highly visual representation of your company and the services you have to offer, and as a result should be the definition of comfort and demure elegance. Show customers that you take every detail of your services into account and refuse to compromise on quality. The 2011 S&S Lincoln 46″ Standard Glass is a sound, economic choice for your business.

Well, you can’t do all of that with your iPhone, but you can start your hearse and control some of the functions on your vehicles with your iPhone.

The technology is courtesy a company called Delphi. Using Bluetooth technology, the company has created an app that allows you to remote start your vehicles through your key fob. You can also unlock doors and operate several other vehicle functions remotely.

This is a huge step forward from yesteryear, huh?

As a funeral director, you are always trying to make your processes more efficient and elegant. Your iPhone can now participate and make that happen for you and your business.

The next time you speak to your funeral coach dealer, ask about the iPhone remote control app. Ask if they’ve heard of it. This technology is only bound to get better and that’s something to look forward to.