Horses aren’t usually associated with funerals anymore, but Byron Haryung is trying to restore the connection.
The former oil worker has spent five years planning his business, The Last Ride-Hooves to Heaven.
He started with Clydesdale horses and a wagon, which was part of several funeral processions, including his grandfather’s.
“I thought, well, I’ll get a hearse and have it open for everyone who wants to … hire me to haul his or her loved ones away for the last ride,” he said.
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Haryung ordered the hearse through a carriage builder in Nashville, Michigan. The company bases its hearses on a basic design, but he was able to customize certain aspects, such as the horses’ plumes and the lamps.
Haryung and his wife picked up the 500 kilogram, four-metre long hearse in Nashville in July. It was hand built using black wood and glass.
He uses two Quarter horses to pull the hearse in funeral processions. If either of them are unable, Haryung has nine others trained to do the job.
The hearse has been part of only a few funerals since July, but Haryung is optimistic.
“Right now it’s not real busy, but eventually, once people know about it … it’ll come around.”
Word of mouth already seems to be having an effect. Haryung has received phone calls from across Canada.
“I’ve had calls from London, Ont., just inquiring.”
He’s also received calls from funeral homes in the United States, but he won’t cross the border because of the regulations regarding horses.
Haryung said horse-drawn hearses are a good option for some.
“People that grew up with animals, that’s something they might want. Their family might want to send them away with something special.”
