How many coffin bearers do you need?

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 bearers does it take to carry a coffin?

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.

Why do you need 6 pallbearers?

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. In most cases, pallbearers are people who have close relations with the deceased.

Who are usually the pallbearers at a funeral?

Pallbearers can be anyone the bereaved or deceased choose. However, they are usually close family or friends like siblings, older children or grandchildren, colleagues, or friends.

Should a son be a pallbearer for his father?

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.

How many Pall Bearers do you have?

Do pallbearers sit with family?

In many funerals, the pallbearers are seated together in a special section of the funeral setting as a group. When most or all of the pallbearers are family members, they may choose to be seated with their family.

Are children pallbearers for their parents?

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.

Do you pay pallbearers at a funeral?

Because these are volunteers who are close to the family or the deceased, it's not typical to tip. If you need to hire pallbearers, however, a small tip might be appropriate. If the hired pallbearers are not a part of the funeral staff, tipping anywhere from $5-15 is fair for this service.

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.

Who walks behind the coffin at a funeral?

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.

Why do they cover the legs in a casket?

It is a common practice to cover the legs as there is swelling in the feet and shoes don't fit. As part of funeral care, the body is dressed and preserved, with the prime focus on the face. Post embalming, bodies are often placed without shoes; hence covering the legs is the way to offer a dignified funeral.

Are pallbearers allowed to cry?

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.

Is it OK to say no to 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.

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.

Can a wife be a pallbearer?

If you are pre-planning a funeral and deciding who you wish to have as your pallbearers, think about who you would like to have this honor to. Typically, pallbearers are family members or close friends. Both women and men serve as pallbearers.

What is the average weight a pallbearer carries?

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.

Should a pallbearer wear a suit?

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.

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 happens if you don't have enough 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.

Who is etiquette choosing pallbearers?

In most funerals, there are some common choices while selecting pallbearers. Siblings, adult children, grown-up grandchildren or close friends, colleagues or nephews and nieces are frequently selected as pallbearers. There is no written rule as to who can handle this task.

What color suit do pallbearers wear?

Traditionally pallbearers wear a suit or formal dress in black or dark colour. However, less traditional funeral clothing is becoming more popular.

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.

Who should take cords at a funeral?

The first cord is taken by the chief mourner, usually the next-of-kin or closest family member, and the funeral director will call forward the other seven gentlemen or ladies in numerical order and give them the necessary instructions.