Californian funeral parlour has become popular with gangs because cemetery shootouts in the 1980s made members reluctant to gather for funerals

Californian funeral parlour has decided to move with the times with drive-through viewing of an open casket.

The owner of Robert L. Adams Mortuary, Peggy Scott Adams, said it meant well-known locals could be viewed en masse; older mourners wouldn't have to leave their cars; and those afraid of funeral parlours wouldn't need to go inside.

The covered and paved 3.6m-wide drive-through has a bulletproof glass display window, which is visible from the street.

"It's a unique feature that sets us aside from other funeral parlours," Ms Scott Adams said.

"You can come by after work, you don't need to deal with parking, you can sign the book outside and the family knows that you paid your respects."

The cost of funerals at the mortuary start from $1295.

The venue had become popular with gangs because cemetery shootouts in the 1980s made members reluctant to gather for funerals, Mrs Adams said.

Posted in: Californian funeral parlour has become popular with gangs because cemetery shootouts in the 1980s made members reluctant to gather for funerals