Things you should know before you go:
Pall bearing 101
By Andrew Hodges
Funeral Director
Pallbearers are those at a funeral who carry the
casket of the deceased person. Depending on the location of the funeral, at a
church for example, pallbearers would carry the casket from the funeral coach (hearse)
inside for the service and then carry it out at the conclusion. If the service
involves burial at a cemetery, pallbearers would carry the casket from the
funeral coach to the grave.
Why is the term pallbearer used? A pall is a heavy
cloth that some churches use to cover the casket during a funeral service.
There are two reasons that palls are used. The first is to symbolize the
clothes worn during baptism, and the second is to show that all are equal in
the eyes of God since the pall covers all caskets completely. In some
traditions, there are separate roles with pallbearer and casket bearer, with
pall bearers placing the pall on the casket and casket bearers doing the actual
carrying of the casket. However, in today's society, the term pall bearer is
commonly given to those carrying the casket.
Who can be a pallbearer? Anyone a family chooses to be.
Traditionally, it used to exclude immediate family members, such as spouses and
children, so the family could focus on their own grief. Today there really are no
set rules for who can act as bearer: Family members, friends, co-workers, etc.,
are common choices (both men and women), as long as they are able-bodied and
available the day of the funeral.
During the arrangement meeting between the funeral
director and next of kin prior to a funeral, the topic of pallbearer selection
is usually discussed as a detail to think about if the type of service requires
it. Normally, six people are required to carry a standard-sized casket. However,
depending on circumstances such as weight concerns or awkward stairs at church,
more people may be required to ensure a safe carry. Less then six may be required for a child’s
casket.
Most funeral directors will confirm pallbearers the
day before the funeral to ensure a sufficient number. If a family cannot secure
enough bearers, the funeral home will normally make provisions for its staff to
step in. If a family has more people than required, there is the option of
having flower bearers and/or honourary bearers that may walk in front of or
behind the casket and possibly form an honour guard at the conclusion of the funeral
and/or at a cemetery. Sometimes these roles are provided by younger members of
a family or those who might not be able to bear the weight of the casket, but
nonetheless willing to be active participants in the funeral.
Here are some guidelines for those who are asked to be
a pallbearer. It is a great honour to be asked, but be honest with yourself and
the family. If you are unable to attend the funeral or you have an injury that
might affect your ability to safely lift, let it be known. The weight of a
casket will depend on the weight of the deceased person and the type of casket.
Casket weights can range from cloth-covered cardboard caskets at approximately
80 lbs, to triple-blanked mahogany caskets (Ronald Regan’s casket) that weigh
closer to 400 lbs. However the best estimate for most caskets used today is
closer to 150 lbs to 200 lbs. The point is that carrying a casket is a physically
demanding role, even when the weight is distributed between six people (three
on each side).
Once you have been confirmed as a pallbearer, speak to
the funeral director prior to the day of the funeral for instructions such as
arrival time, parking assignments and/or where to be seated during the service.
On the day of the funeral, check in with the funeral director when you arrive so
that they know you are in attendance and to receive further instructions such
as deciding which side you would prefer to carry on. Funerals are certainly
emotional events, but when you are called upon it is important to do the best
that you can to focus on the task by listening to instructions. Walk slowly in
tempo with the other pallbearers so not to step on each other’s feet, and make
certain that your cell phone is off. Female pallbearers should note that the
duty is easier if a more sensible shoe is worn. When arriving at a cemetery,
gather by the funeral coach for instructions in carrying to the grave.
Finally, for funeral services where the person’s body
is not present in a casket doesn’t necessarily mean there is no opportunity for
people to participate in a carrying role. If the cremated remains are present,
the family could designate one or more persons to carry the urn or a picture of
the person at the conclusion and also have flower bearers and honour
guards. As always, there are choices.
Ask the funeral director
