A pallbearer is responsible for carrying the coffin or casket of the deceased from the hearse to its final place of rest, depending on whether it is a cremation or burial service.
You will be responsible for helping to transport the coffin from the funeral home to the hearse, from the hearse into the church, back to the hearse, and finally from the hearse to the final resting place/cemetery. It is important to show up early and stay with the group as you perform your duties.
A pall is a heavy cloth that is draped over a coffin. Thus the term pallbearer is used to signify someone who "bears" the coffin which the pall covers. In Roman times, a soldier wore a cape or cloak called the pallium. In medieval times the term pallium was shortened to pall.
If you have been asked to be a pallbearer, it is an honor and a privilege. You have been asked to accompany a dearly loved person to their final resting place, which means the family trusts and values you. This is your opportunity to help the family of the deceased in their time of need.
: a person who helps to carry the coffin at a funeral. also : a member of the escort or honor guard of the coffin who does not actually help to carry it.
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A pallbearer is responsible for carrying the coffin or casket of the deceased from the hearse to its final place of rest, depending on whether it is a cremation or burial service.
Pallbearer Attire
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.
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.
Please keep in mind that while serving as a pallbearer is an honor, choosing to forego that honor is not considered rude or insulting. It is important, however, to give your reply as soon as possible so that the person who asked you has enough time to find a replacement.
But one thing in common is that the legs are neatly covered either with a blanket or half-covered with the lid of a casket. Why do they cover the legs in a casket? When a person dies, the feet swell, making it difficult for the shoes to fit, which is why the legs are covered.
Pallbearers are not simply carrying a box, but rather, they are carrying the physical embodiment of the deceased. This is a heavy responsibility that should not be taken lightly. In addition to carrying the casket, pallbearers may also play a role in the funeral service itself.
If you are planning this aspect of the service, think about who you would want to handle the casket. Family members and close friends are common choices. Either men or women can be pallbearers as long as they are physically capable of doing so.
Traditionally, men are seen as pallbearers. But, to answer the question in the title, yes, women do the job as well.
Is Carrying a Coffin Heavy for Pallbearers? Yes, carrying a coffin can be burdensome for pallbearers. The body, casket, and hardware may weigh 400 pounds. If that weight is divided evenly among six pallbearers, each one is responsible for about 66 pounds.
What Do Pallbearers Wear? Dark suits or dress clothes are often considered suitable clothing for pallbearers. At one time, it was customary for pallbearers to wear white gloves as a sign of respect and to protect the coffin or casket when it was moved.
Traditionally, there are six pallbearers at a funeral, as there are usually six handles on a casket (three on each side), though there are often two handles on the front and back sides of a casket, allowing for eight pallbearers. Pallbearers are usually close family members and friends.
As a rule, four or six Pallbearers carry or escort a coffin at the funeral. As a rule, the people chosen to do this are usually very close family members and friends. Moreover, family and friends may ask to carry out this important funeral role. We will discuss this with you when making funeral arrangements.
Coffins alone generally weigh between 150-250 pounds and must be carried at waist height. Due to this heaviness, pallbearers are typically males over the age of 16. However, women can also serve as pallbearers.
No one will fault you for letting a few tears slip, but if you're concerned you won't be able to do your duty without heavy crying, you might want to decline the invitation to be a pallbearer. It's best to keep a straight face. This applies to the other side of the emotional spectrum, too.
Pallbearers are usually close family members and friends. Siblings, adult children, grown grandchildren, nieces and nephews, close friends, and colleagues are all common choices for pallbearers.
Pallbearers need to dress appropriately. Unless the bereaved specify otherwise, men should wear dark, solid suits with white shirts and conservative ties, and women should wear dark pantsuits or dresses. You really don't want to trip when carrying the casket.
Pallbearers typically sit together in one of the first rows on the right. At some funerals, pallbearers sit with their family or friends in the congregation. If this is the case, just make sure that you speak with the funeral director so you understand when you are required to leave your seat to help move the casket.
The coffin bearers at the Queen's funeral are from a unit of which the late monarch was Company Commander. Soldiers from the Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, were chosen to lift the coffin during the service at Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle.
Millions of people around the world watched as 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 out their duty.