Symbolism of Jacobs procession- From a Hebrew study:
In the last 17 years of his life, which Jacob had spent in Egypt, he became known and beloved by all Egypt. And now that he died, he was sadly mourned by all. A period of grief and mourning throughout Egypt was proclaimed for seventy days, as though one day for each member of Jacob's family. When this period of mourning ended, the funeral procession began.
The hearse in which Jacob's body was laid was borne shoulder high by the twelve tribes of Israel in the order which Jacob had requested: Judah, Issachar and Zebulun facing east; Reuben, Simeon and Gad on the south; Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin on the west; and Dan, Asher and Naphtali on the north. In this order the tribes of Israel were also to march many years later on their way to the Promised Land. Behind the hearse followed Levi and Joseph, and Joseph's crown lay on top of the hearse. Behind them followed members of the royal family of Pharaoh, princes and nobles and common people, in a procession that seemed to have no end.