The adage about death and taxes being inevitable is as relevant as ever. While some do manage to cheat on their taxes and get away with it, they can't escape the Grim Reaper. When that ill-fated encounter happens, why not go out in style with a luxury hearse? Italian company Biemme specialises in converting posh models for rides to the afterlife, and some of the conversions are pretty darned interesting. And by that, we mean weird.
Dubbed "Aymon," the Mercedes CLS has received the funeral vehicle treatment. Ironically, the CLS itself is dead as production ended in August. It keeps the rear seats and doors while adding a huge coffin compartment with a shatterproof divider. Biemme says it also beefed up the body structure with external mouldings and stainless steel. It installed a glass rear door and even kept the spare wheel.
Mercedes CLS, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Maserati Grecale hearses
For an even more sumptuous final ride, there's also a Rolls-Royce Ghost conversion, complete with the majestic V12 engine. It's oddly known as the "Ghoster" and retains the suicide door providing access to the rear seats. It too gets an expansive greenhouse while the coffin compartment makes generous use of wood and has customisable LED lighting. Biemme installs an electrically operated lift system that can be controlled remotely.
More hearses:
The Jaguar XF and Mercedes E-Class are other saloons that have been turned into hearses. However, Biemme also worked on a crossover, namely the Maserati Grecale and it's the GT version to boot. It's nicknamed "Kalea" and boasts quad exhaust tips. How's that for a hearse? That said, we reckon its proportions are a bit strange compared to the saloons.
Speaking of Maseratis, there's a conversion for the Ghibli as well. Much like the CLS, the Italian saloon is not long for this world since it'll be discontinued in 2024. The last vehicle in Biemme’s fleet is a Mercedes V-Class but that's a far more common hearse conversion in Europe.
Source: Biemme