Six pallbearers are the standard number needed to carry the casket, but
eight or more are sometimes necessary
. An honorary pallbearer is one who is given special mention and recognition, but is not required to assist in carrying the casket.
How many pallbearers can there be?
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. Traditionally, there are
four to six pallbearers at a
funeral, depending on the weight of the coffin.
How many honorary pallbearers can you have?
If any people whom you would like to have as pallbearers are not physically capable of carrying the weight of a casket, those people can be made “honorary pallbearers” and can walk in front of, beside, or behind the casket.
There is no limit to the number of honorary pallbearers that you can have at your funeral
.
Can you have 7 pallbearers?
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
.
Can honorary pallbearers be deceased?
Any number of individuals, male or female, may be selected as honorary pallbearers
. They are often close friends of the deceased or the deceased’s family. The honorary pallbearers do not participate in carrying the casket or cremation container.
Can a female be a pallbearer?
In most cases, pallbearers are
people who have close relations with the deceased
. It can be family members, relatives, co-workers, or close friends and women should not be excluded from the equation.
Should immediate family be pallbearers?
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. However, anyone can serve as a pallbearer.
Why do you carry a coffin feet first?
Coffins are carried feet first
simply because of health and safety
, rather than any kind of ceremonial tradition. … Carrying a coffin with the feet first helps keep it balanced and also means the deceased is being handled with great care. The funeral director will provide instructions on how to take the coffin.
Can you say no to being a pallbearer?
You do not have to accept the role of pallbearer if it
is offered to you, though it is considered an honour to be asked. You might want to decline because you do not feel you are physically able to carry the coffin, as it is often quite heavy.
How heavy is a casket for a pallbearer?
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. If a heavier casket was chosen for a large person, the weight that the pallbearers must carry might be as much as 600 pounds.
Is it heavy to carry a coffin?
Physical Strength: Carrying a casket is a physically demanding role, even if the weight is distributed among many people.
Pallbearers carry the weight of the deceased person
, as well as the weight of the casket itself. The weight of a standard adult casket is approximately 200 lbs (or 90 kgs).
Is pallbearer an honor?
If someone is unable to perform the duties, they may walk alongside or behind the casket. These people are called honorary pallbearers. Whether pallbearer or honorary pallbearer, it is
a high honor to serve in this
capacity.
Has anyone ever dropped a coffin?
A widow described the horrifying moment her husband’s coffin was dropped and broke open during his funeral, leaving him on view to more than 400 people. Debbie Swales, 52, says she has been suffering a living hell since the moment her husband’s body was exposed to hundreds of mourners as they tried to lay him to rest.
What is the job of an honorary pallbearer?
An honorary pallbearer is a pallbearer that does not actively carry the casket at the funeral service. Depending on the family’s wishes, honorary pallbearers may or may not have reserved seating. It is customary for the honorary pallbearers
to walk behind the casket being carried by the
6-8 active pallbearers.
What happens if you don’t have pallbearers?
If You Haven’t Selected Pallbearers
In these instances, you can
work with your local funeral home to assign extra employees to help perform this service
. You might also work with a local church to find senior church leaders or even youth who would be able to help.
How do you pick honorary pallbearers?
It’s best to choose
pallbearers who are reasonably hearty
. If you do want to honor someone who may not be able to help carry, you can ask them to be an honorary pallbearer. They will accompany the casket without shouldering part of its weight. You can have multiple honorary pallbearers if you’d like.
