On a chilly December day, the Top Hats and Tails Carriage Company conducted a funeral procession in Detroit, marking a notable shift in its business focus. Owner John Balhorn led the procession for Ruby Smith, a 98-year-old matriarch, to Elmwood Cemetery, where her family gathered to pay their respects. This horse-drawn hearse service, once a rarity, has increasingly become a core part of Balhorn’s offerings since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Balhorn, based in Ortonville, initially established his business for events like weddings. However, he quickly recognized a growing demand for horse-drawn funeral services. “Not many were doing it, and I saw a demand,” he explained. Today, his company handles two to three funerals each week across metro Detroit, Saginaw, and Flint, a significant increase compared to previous years.
Embracing a New Role
The atmosphere during these ceremonies is markedly different from other events Balhorn has coordinated over his more than 25-year career. “It’s very quiet,” he noted, reflecting on the solemnity of the occasion. On the day of Smith’s funeral, Cathy Hicks, Balhorn’s assistant, was dressed warmly as she tended to two Percheron draft horses named Lady and Betsy. The animals stood patiently in a snow-covered lot, ready to transport Smith’s coffin.
When the time came, pallbearers carefully transferred Smith’s striking ruby red coffin from a traditional hearse, operated by QA Cantrell Funeral Services, to the horse-drawn conveyance. The procession then made its way south on Mount Elliott Street, turning west on Lafayette toward the historic cemetery, which has been a final resting place for many families for nearly 180 years.
The hearse itself is a beautifully crafted vehicle reminiscent of a bygone era, equipped with leaf springs and rubber-rimmed wheels to ensure a smooth journey for the deceased. With glass windows that allow mourners to view the coffin, the carriage serves both a functional and an aesthetic purpose.
Honoring a Family Legacy
As the family prepared for the graveside service, Smith’s granddaughter, Crystal Phillips, reflected on her grandmother’s legacy. “I wanted to make sure her homecoming was built for the queen she was,” Phillips said. She described Smith as a woman with “a heart of gold” who was always ready to support her family and foster gatherings, having started annual family reunions in the 1970s.
As the procession arrived at the cemetery, the glow of the setting sun illuminated Smith’s coffin, adding a serene touch to the moment. Family members expressed their gratitude for the dignified service, with one stating, “You did right by her.”
As the ceremony concluded, Balhorn and Hicks prepared to return home, content in the knowledge that they had provided a meaningful tribute to a life well-lived. The clip-clopping of the horses faded as they made their way back, signaling the end of another poignant chapter in the ongoing story of their unique business.
For more information about their services, visit the Top Hats and Tails Carriage Company website.
