holdin your lapel at a funeral carriage

[npalfreman]

I would like to know where the origin of holding your lapel when a funeral carriage passes you by and also what is the significance? Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

[bernardo]

As far as I am aware, and as far as I can remember, nobody has ever held a lapel at any funeral.

[bluedolphin]

If its their left lapel perhaps they are placing their hand over their hearts?

[archbishop]

GAB Bernardo.I would agree that is is hand over heart rather than holding a lapel.If wearing a hat this usally held over the heart as well.

[WoWo]

Hold your collar, hold your nose, hope you don't end up in one of those.

[WoWo]

Thats how the saying goes, not sure if the collar holding results from this saying or the saying results from the holding of collars. But my mother said it was bad form to touch your collar.

[smudge]

WoWo, I shall do that next time I see a hearse go by. I might get some funny looks, but hopefully I'll have the last laugh!

[galltin]

Yes it's a superstition to ward off ending up in a hearse. It doesn't work.