A mother claimed her “soul left her body” when her husband requested she overtake a funeral vehicle on the road – yet people remain divided over whether he was correct or mistaken in making such a suggestion.

Amber Izzo, who shares parenting, pregnancy and home improvement content on TikTok, posted a video on the platform earlier this week questioning whether overtaking a funeral vehicle was discourteous. She explained that she and her husband “couldn’t agree” on the matter, prompting her to seek guidance on social media.

Amber explained: “Is it disrespectful to overtake a funeral car? My husband and I cannot agree. We were just driving home, there was a funeral car, it had a coffin in it, it had the flowers displaying mum and there was the procession behind it.

“I was on the parkway, everybody was driving 70 miles an hour, come up behind and I’m like, oh no, oh no, do I overtake? Or do I indicate?”. Do I join the end of the procession and drive at 40 mile an hour until they come off? I don’t know.

“My husband was like, no, just overtake, just keep going. I did, I panicked and I did, but I felt like my soul left my body. I feel really guilty about it. So is it disrespectful? If I was on a roundabout and they were coming and there was a procession, even if there was a little gap, I would wait.

“I’ve never overtaken one before and now I feel like, I don’t know… I felt like that was a bad thing to do.”

Commenters criticised Amber for being discourteous in overtaking the vehicle, whilst others sympathised with her predicament. One person said: “It’s the lowest of the lowest disrespect to overtake a funeral car. The deceased person deserves one last acknowledgement on their last journey.”

Another added: “Please don’t overtake a funeral car, it’s very disrespectful, I also stand still when one is passing me by.”

Another witnessed somebody overtaking their 23-year-old son’s hearse but said the act of overtaking didn’t bother them, but the drivers actions did.

She said: “This actually happened to us, January 2, my 23-year-old son was on his final journey. It was incredibly obvious, my son in his hearse followed by me and then his brother behind, a lot of cars and motorbikes. Not only did a lady overtake she forced herself between me and my son, when she was challenged she flipped us off.

“I know following a funeral procession is a bit slow but come on, if you can pass without interfering then do so, but please, for the love of Mike, don’t force your way through.”

In a subsequent video, Amber provided additional context regarding the situation and clarified that the “parkway” she was travelling on was actually a dual carriageway. This prompted a wave of comments reassuring Amber that her actions were acceptable.

One person said: “I was in a procession for a family member and people were overtaking us on a dual carriageway, didn’t even think about it, you’re fine. The comments are just trying to take the moral high ground when they’ve all probably done the same” A second contributed: “If on a motorway (I know that’s not very often) or dual carriageway then if they are in the left lane I would pass however pay my respects as passing. Wouldn’t overtake on any single carriageway though. Bless you for worrying though.”

A hearse driver clarified the matter and explained: “Hearse driver here. On a duel carriageway we wouldn’t think any less of you if you were to overtake. We go slower to keep our procession together on roads like that as we expect people not cut in. Hope this puts your mind at rest.”