Can you cry as a pallbearer?

If you're overcome with emotion and crying, you will find it's more challenging to carry out your tasks. Take a few deep breaths and try to keep yourself calm. Crying is ok, but at the same time, the work of a pallbearer is important and will require focus.

Who Cannot be a pallbearer?

Traditionally, pallbearers have been men. However, in recent years more women are serving as pallbearers. There is no hard and fast rule about who can and cannot be a pallbearer. Ultimately, it is up to the family to decide who they would like to ask.

Do you have to be strong to be a pallbearer?

Pallbearers' duties include greeting the families at the funeral home prior to the funeral procession and carrying the coffin or casket down the aisle in the church. To serve as a pallbearer, you are expected to be both physically and emotionally sturdy.

Is being a pallbearer heavy?

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.

Is being a pallbearer an Honour?

Pallbearers are usually chosen by the closest relatives of the person who has died, and may be family members, close friends or co-workers. Although pallbearers have traditionally always been men, women are now also given the role. It is considered a great honour to be a pallbearer.

Pall Bearer How you can be a pall bearer

How old should a pallbearer be?

They can be men and women usually over the age of 16. When asked to be a pallbearer, it's an honor and very few people decline this request. Pallbearers play a crucial role in the funeral service, as they're in the public eye.

Should a pallbearer wear a suit?

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.

Is it rude to decline being a pallbearer?

If you don't feel comfortable carrying the coffin or casket of a loved one, you do not have to accept the role. If this is the case, politely decline the offer and let whoever is arranging the funeral know why; they will most likely understand and respect your decision.

Should a pallbearer wear black?

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.

Has a pallbearer ever dropped?

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...

Can pallbearers be girls?

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.

How many pallbearers is normal?

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.

Are pallbearers always male?

Traditionally, men are seen as pallbearers. But, to answer the question in the title, yes, women do the job as well. This actually depends on the discretion of the family members, or in some instances, based on who will volunteer for the duty.

Can non Jews be pallbearers?

Traditionally, Judaism required Pallbearers be Jewish, friends and family. Non-Jews may share in Eulogies.

Are pallbearers usually family?

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.

How much weight does a pallbearer hold?

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).

Which pallbearer carries the most weight?

Usually the head end of the coffin is the heaviest, thus the strongest two of your six pallbearers should take the handles at this end.

Why do pallbearers wear white?

A pallbearer is one of several participants who help carry the casket at a funeral. They may wear white gloves in order to prevent damaging the casket and to show respect to the deceased person.

Why is there always 6 pallbearers?

The number depends on the handles on the casket as well as those who wish to carry the casket. As such, this number and even are more than eight people. However, six pallbearers are picked to carry the casket during a funeral service often because most caskets have three handles on each side.

Is carrying a coffin heavy?

Think about the weight.

Know the weight of the person in the coffin and bear in mind that wooden coffins are also quite heavy, adding up to 20kg. If the load is more than 90kgs (14 stones) you will need six bearers.

What 18 year old pallbearer died?

Jack Burnell-Williams, 18-year-old Guardsman who marched behind the late Queen Elizabeth II's coffin during her official funeral procession, was discovered dead at London barracks.

Is pallbearer a job?

Regardless, the pallbearer is a job that must be done, and most people will accept the role if they are asked. Typically, there will be six to eight pallbearers needed. In earlier years, strong men were called upon because the distance between the church and the graveyard could be quite the distance.

Should a husband be a pallbearer for his wife?

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. Sometimes, honorary pallbearers can stand in place of individuals that are incapable of physically lifting the casket.

What not to do at a funeral?

Do pallbearers get gifts?

Apart from photographs, these tokens of appreciation may include simple jewelry pieces, pressed flowers from the funeral or an inscribed memorial plaque. Some may even choose to gift something of the deceased that correlates to his or her relationship with the pallbearer, such as a book or music album.