Pallbearers help to carry or escort the casket at the funeral. There are generally 6 to 8 pallbearers at a funeral, and you can choose anyone you'd like to serve as one.
At a funeral service, pallbearers are the people that carry or escort the casket. Sometimes they can be between 6 and 8 pallbearers, and the number would depend on how many handles are on the casket. In some cases, the casket may have three handles on either side while at others it may have four.
As a rule, four or six Pallbearers carry or escort a coffin at the funeral. As a rule, the people chosen to do this this are usually very close family members and friends. Moreover, family and friends may ask to carry out this imoportant funeral role.
There may be around six to eight pallbearers, depending on the size of coffin. Pallbearers are usually chosen by the closest relatives of the person who has died, and may be family members, close friends or co-workers.
The traditional format regarding the number of pallbearers is 6, primarily due to the length of the standard casket, so that 3 people on either side can conveniently carry the casket. Most caskets have additional handles at each end which will accommodate 2 more bearers.
It's best, however, to avoid selecting people who will need to be there to support another family member. For example, a grown son may need to sit with (and offer moral support to) his mother rather than serve as a pallbearer at his father's funeral.
The role of pallbearer or honorary pallbearer is both an honor and a great responsibility. The duties primarily consist of helping to carry or accompany the casket throughout a traditional funeral or burial.
Both men and women can be pallbearers, and many people often choose either family members or close friends of the deceased to carry the coffin.
In most instances, men are pallbearers, so it seems like the norm. However, there is no cultural or religious customs stating that women can't serve as pallbearers. The only reason why they don't do this job is that they may not be strong enough to lift the casket, which can sometimes be quite heavy.
Lance Sergeant Alex Turner, Lance Corporal Tony Flynn, Lance Sergeant Elias Orlowski, Guardsman Fletcher Cox, Guardsman James Patterson, Lance Sergeant Ryan Griffiths, Guardsman Luke Simpson, and Guardsman David Sanderson carried the coffin as millions of people watched the funeral last September.
Who Carries the Coffin at a Funeral? At a funeral, the coffin or casket can be carried either by designated pallbearers as arranged by the funeral directors, or by any of your chosen family members or friends.
Due to this heaviness, pallbearers are typically males over the age of 16. However, women can also serve as pallbearers. Those chosen are often close to the departed or the bereaved family.
Video shows how one pallbearer helping to lower the coffin slipped and fell on top of it, causing the lid to split in half and an elderly woman's body to roll out. The tragic accident happened during a funeral in...
Men or women may be pallbearers. When selecting them, make sure they can keep their emotions in check.
The officiant will usually lead the procession and pallbearers carrying the coffin tend to follow. Immediate family and close friends will often walk behind the coffin, followed by other guests.
Try to keep your emotions in check
But you will find it's more difficult to carry out the tasks of a pallbearer if you're overcome with emotion and crying uncontrollably.
Benefits of Open Casket
Allows friends and family members to kiss the deceased goodbye one last time. Everyone can take comfort in seeing the deceased looking beautiful and at peace.
It is very unlikely that meningococci would survive in a body, including the nasopharynx, for long after death, especially if the body is embalmed. Transmission of meningococci through hongi (pressing noses), kissing, or other close contact with the body is extremely unlikely.
So why do Funeral Directors bow at coffins? Respect. The aim when working with any family is to show their loved one as much dignity and respect as possible. Even though this person may not be walking on this earth any longer does not mean that they deserve any less respect.
If you have been asked to be a pallbearer but do not feel comfortable performing this role, it is perfectly acceptable to decline. There is no shame in admitting that carrying a casket is not something you feel comfortable doing. If you decline, simply thank the family for asking and express your condolences.
Unless the family expresses a desire otherwise, it is customary in most cases for pallbearers to wear a suit, sports coat, and optional tie. It is not necessary, of course, but the dress represents the dignity & respect of the role. Plan to arrive about 30 minutes prior to the funeral service.
Pallbearers will have to carry the casket with the body inside, so they will have to transport the body's weight and the coffin. 370 to 400 pounds is the final weight that pallbearers will carry if the casket is standard sized, 200 pounds heavy, whereas the adult body is 200 pounds (male) or 170 pounds (female).
There are actually no rules about who can carry a coffin at a funeral. Anyone can be a pallbearer as long as they feel able to do it. Plus, you can always ask the funeral director what will work best.
Pallbearers should dress conservatively with typical funeral attire in mind. For men, this means a dark suit, tie and appropriate shoes. Women should wear dark conservative clothes, which can be a modest dress, or pants or skirt suit set.