It is narrated from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them) used to walk in front of the funeral procession.
Hadith Referenceمسند الإمام الشافعي / كتاب الجنائز / 577
Hadith Takhrijصحیح اخرجه ابوداود، الجنائز، باب المشى امام الخبازة (3179) ۔ والترمذى، الجنائز، باب ماجاء في المشى امام الجنازة (1007) ، (1008)۔
It is narrated from Rabi'ah bin Abdullah bin Hudair that he reports he saw Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) leading people ahead of the funeral of Zainab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her).
Hadith Referenceمسند الإمام الشافعي / كتاب الجنائز / 578
Hadith Takhrijاسناده صحيح : اخرجه البيهقي في المعرفة السنن والآثار (2119) ۔ وعبدالرزاق (6260) ـ ومالك في الموطا، الجنائز، باب المشى امام الجنازة۔
Ubaid, the freed slave of Saib, narrates: I saw Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) and Ubaid bin Umair (may Allah be pleased with him); both of them would walk in front of the funeral, go ahead and sit down, and talk. When the funeral would come near, both of them would stand up.
Hadith Referenceمسند الإمام الشافعي / كتاب الجنائز / 579
Hadith Takhrijاسناده ضعیف فان عبید امولى السائب مقبول حيث يتابع ولم يتابع اخرجه البيهقي: 24/4 ۔ وفي المعرفة السنن والآثار له (2120)۔