In times gone by the world seemed to stop for a funeral.

Neighbours would draw their curtains and people in the street would bow gently as a mark of respect when they saw a hearse approach with gentlemen taking off their hats.

But all that has changed according to one local undertaker who is calling for drivers to be more respectful.

Alex Whitmey, who runs William Whitmey Independent Funeral Directors in Sittingbourne, said: "In the olden days, people would stop, men would take their hands out of their pockets and doff their caps.

"Nowadays people don't seem to care.

"Motorists don't think twice about pulling out in front of a hearse on a roundabout or cutting in between the hearse and the limousines following behind.

"They don't seem to have the time to wait even a couple of minutes for a funeral procession to pass."

He added: "I think it is terrible. It's society in general. If the funeral isn't for one of their family, people don't seem to care. "

The family undertaker said drivers have sped past him at 70mph despite being just yards from a crematorium.

"Once, a truck cut in between my horses and a floral hearse, frightening the animals and sending them onto the pavement," he added.

"I've had cars overtaking the hearse while I've been walking in front and cutting in and almost knocking me over. "

He is so concerned that he has taken to social media to vent his frustrations.

On his Facebook page he has pleaded with people to take more care. He wrote: "Could we ask everyone for some help during difficult times?

"If you see a hearse, could you stop, stand for a moment as it passes, and perhaps remove your hat and bow your head?

"Could we revive an age-old tradition of respect to show families that their loss doesn’t go unnoticed?

"It would mean the world to them in a time of great sadness."

He added: "If you see a hearse at a junction, stop and allow the following cars to also exit the junction. In most cases, this is the family following the hearse.

"So often we have a car or a van that pushes between our hearse and a following limousine. It's just madness. It only makes your journey slightly longer but it means the world to families in difficult times."

Other advice includes turning down loud music, not beeping your horn and only overtaking a funeral cortege on a dual carriageway.

Mr Whitmey added: "Strangely, the people who tend to show the most respect are those from groups you might not expect."

He gave travellers, foreign nationals and motorcyclists as three examples.

According to one search engine, there have been more than 1.5 million internet searches on what to do when a funeral procession goes by.

There is no advice given in the Highway Code for drivers and 91 per cent of British respondents to a 2016 survey said they simply didn't know what to do.

Hearses usually travel at around 20mph which can create long queues.

Undertakers say there are often two reasons for this. The first is a mark of respect and recreates the slow, sombre march of traditional funerals.

The second is a practical, pre-sat nav way of ensuring mourners following behind don't get lost. It also prevents other vehicles from interrupting the procession.

Moving to a different lane is deemed the easiest way to respectfully let the group through.

Pulling over and waiting for the procession to pass is another sign of respect, but only if it is safe to do so.

Reaction to Mr Whitmey' appeal has been very positive so far. One reply said: "I would never rush a person’s last journey."

Another added: "I always stand and bow in respect" and a third added: "It is just a shame this had to be said."

One woman said: "We always stop and touch our collar when we see a hearse. I'm not sure where that tradition came from, but we just do it."

Another added: "My grandad always tipped his hat three times when a hearse went past."