How to Find a Hearse

Hearses are funerary vehicles designed to transport coffins. Their luxurious driver areas and morbid tasks have made hearses a popular used vehicle for some car enthusiasts. Finding one for sale can be somewhat challenging as they are limited in number, but if you know where to look, the search becomes much easier.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Create a wish list for your hearse. You will need to decide whether you’re looking for a new or used hearse, what condition you want the hearse to be in, what your budget is, and what particular models you are interested in.
2. Locate hearse manufacturers and deals to price new models. In the United States, hearses are typically made by Cadillac and Lincoln.
3. Contact local funeral homes for used hearses that they may have for sale. Directors may also know of good sources for quality used hearses. Some funeral homes rent their hearses or contract for their use with a third party. For short term use, this may be a great option.
4. Subscribe to funeral industry publications. Many will list new and used hearses in the classified section.
5. Search through on and offline classifieds and auctions. Craigslist, local auto classified publications, Hemmings Motor News, eBay and other classifieds are great places to start. Make sure to look under sections that may seem only slightly related. Web sites and forums on the topics of hearses often have a list of hearses for sale by members so search for those as well.
6. Find other hearse enthusiasts and collectors. Look for regional hearse clubs or networks. Talk with them about what you are looking for and your budget. Not only will they be able to provide you with good advice on buying and driving a hearse, they will also know where to find hearses and connect you with people who are selling one.
7. Look in junk or salvage yards. Those looking for a fixer-upper or parts for another hearse can sometimes find old or banged up hearses.

Tips & Warnings

• Have any funeral car checked out by a mechanic before you buy it.
• If you are planning on customizing your hearse, don’t buy from a dealer. Instead look for more inexpensive options from junkyards, classifieds and tow yards.
• Customizing a hearse will generally cause it to lose value among die hard hearse enthusiasts and collectors so think carefully before you take your hearse apart or permanently change it.