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Well, I'd love to say that they shouldn't be banned, but the harsh reality is that there really are people with an extreme lack of tack or empathy who don't care what kind of soap box they happen to stand on. In all honesty, I don't know. It's sad that the question needs to be asked, though.

There's nothing more peaceful and emotional than a funeral. That's no place for protest.

Anybody who thinks that the constitutional right to freedom of speech has no limits should come into my house and use bad language. They would soon learn their limitations.

Saying that this is 'preventing free speech' is completely preposterous. In no way, shape or form can this be considered a forum to stage protests of any type.
For those using the famous 'slippery slope' cliche, I say poppycock. And, do you know why I can say that? Because we are discussing this in an open and public forum.
Snip: "the right of the people peaceably to assemble," Just a part of the amendment, yet a very pertinent one. "PEACEABLY"? Look it up. Let me know if causing a riot is listed as one of the definitions.
I expect that storming a prenatal unit in a hospital would be the next logical step in broadening 1st amendment rights. If we continue down this 'slippery slope', Reverend Phelps bursting into our bedrooms with protests against birth control can be expected. No?

Sure they can have the right to free expression, but only if I can freely express myself by beating them with an aluminum bat.

I don't think a jury of my peers
would find me guilty for beating Fred Waldron Phelps, Sr ass!

The government can't make it illegal to stand on the street outside of a funeral and protest, but they can make it illegal to set a toe on the privately owned gravesite if the owners (or leasers) don't want you there. That the government shall make no law infringing on the freedom of speech does not mean they shall make laws preventing private citizens (and companies) from infringing on your freedom of speech.

I think not. If it is in a funeral home: the protesters can be removed, businesses have the right to refuse service, as long as it is not based on race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation (maybe?). If you go into a Wal-mart and start raving "I hate the president" you can be removed...

As well as in the parking lot...

Or the gravesite...

I don't know about federally-owned funeral sites...

One creates dangerous panic and gets people hurt/killed.

The other is just disrespectful and disgusting, but doesn't have the potential to get anybody killed (except maybe the protester should he do that at my son's funeral).

In all constitutional debates I think it is important to consider the intent of our forefathers. Our forefathers wanted to ensure that the American people would never be denied the right to protest the government. I ,of course, agree with this notion. However, to position your protest so as to antagonize a grieving family, steps beyond a necessary freedom. If those same protesters would choose city hall or the town center I would not oppose them at all, and their message would still be heard. It is amazing to me how politics override pragmatism in this debate. How is the freedom to protest in a specific location override the freedom to mourn the passing of your loved ones in peace?

Secondly, the constant coverage of these protests are giving the protesters exactly what they want.

see the thing is, freedom of speech is saying what you want when you want, sure consideration is nice, but what is consideration to one is different to another,so were do we judge this from>?

Why is it that we seem to think our freedom of speech trumps our responsibility of consideration?

Clearly the demonstrating at a funeral is a horrible disrespectful thing for the family. The demonstrators are as low as anybody can go. However, we can never let up one inch on a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution. . . NEVER. Perhaps some reasonable regulation could be applied to public funerals through some thoughtful debate by responsible legislators. Somewhat like the ruling associated with the "You can't yell FIRE in a theater."

How can you be free to live when I am free to kill you?

Just sayin'.

But of course freedom has limits. They're called "laws." And even the freest society has them.

I'm not in favor of laws that restrict protests -- and I'm certainly not in favor of calling it "treason". But I think you oversimplify, somewhat.

Just like in Abortion Clinics, you can move the protest to a non-disruptive distance. You can keep protestors from harassing attendees. Can you completely prevent a protest on public land? Probably not, even if it's in bad taste. Of course, there are limits based on how disruptive the event is, if they're inciting unlawful conduct, etc.

If its a private cemetery, you can absolutely keep the off the property entirely.

The current law states that any protest may be held anywhere, anytime, but it can be moved by authorities if they feel it it is a disruption to public order.

I think they should be able to protest whatever they want, but because it is a private matter, at least a halfmile away.

Unfortunately, free speech extends even to those people such as these obviously misguided and disrespectful individuals. To say I have nothing but disdain for people who protest at funerals is an understatement. To turn another's tragedy into your short term, short live, short sighted, and not very effective, political gain is disgusting.

However, it is free speech, and you begin to limit it and the slippery slope is formed.