Funeral Pallbearer Roles, Selection and Options
Funeral Pallbearer Roles, Selection and Options
There are several important roles that may be filled during a funeral proceeding, and one of this is the role of pallbearers. Generally selected to carry the casket at a funeral service, pallbearers are often close friends or family members of the departed who was dear to them, and it’s considered an honor to be asked to be a pallbearer in many funeral settings.
At McDougal Funeral Home, we’re proud to offer numerous services for funeral planning and pre-arranged funerals, plus for carrying out all the details of a funeral service you’d prefer for a loved one who has departed. We’re happy to assist with any questions you have about pallbearers, from how they should be selected to whether you want to utilize this role at all for the upcoming funeral service. We’ll even help with volunteer pallbearers if you’re in a situation where they’re needed. Here are some basics on pallbearers, their role and how they’re assigned, and some situations where you may opt against involving pallbearers in a funeral service.
Pallbearer Basics and Origins
Pallbearers, as we noted above, are those who are chosen to carry or officially escort a coffin as part of a funeral service. Pallbearers will commonly be family members or close friends of the departed, people who were near and dear to them and will help carry them to their final resting place.
This name came from the use of a pall, which refers to a heavy cloth that’s sometimes draped over the coffin. Over time, those who “bear” the coffin were given this title, which combined into the longer pallbearer term.
Assigning Pallbearers
As we noted, the most common format for assigning pallbearers will be to select those who were very close to the departed individual. Commonly, the most able-bodied of these people will be identified as primary candidates – some coffins or caskets are somewhat heavy, after all, and those carrying them need to have the requisite physical skills.
In other cases, you may not have selected pallbearers, or perhaps one or more of your pallbearers either cannot make the funeral or is not physically capable of the lifting required. In this case, we’re happy to work with you to provide volunteer pallbearers from our staff.
Opting Against Pallbearers
There are also options where no pallbearers are used at all. Sometimes, a wheeled car or another transportation method will be used for the casket – this is often done when those who would be the pallbearers normally are older or not physically capable, and can only serve as “honorary” pallbearers who walk behind the casket as it’s moved. There aren’t any rules here, necessarily; whatever you and your family feel comfortable with in this area, with the wishes of the departed considered of course, can be arranged.
For more on pallbearers during a funeral, or to learn about any of our funeral arrangements, cremation solutions or other caring services, speak to the staff at McDougal Funeral Home today.
