CARRYING THE COFFIN ON THE DAY OF THE FUNERAL - Pallbearing

Pallbearing is a ceremonial role that involves shoulder carrying the coffin into the crematorium or church and usually is carried out by 4 – 6 people. It is regarded as an honourable thing to do on behalf of the person who has died.

At every funeral, the funeral director will provide pallbearers to convey the coffin to its final place of rest, however if family and friends of the deceased would like to carry the coffin, they are able to.

Usually, the person arranging the funeral, or a close family member will decide who they would like to carry the coffin. If you wish to then it is advisable to ask a close relative or the next of kin of the person whose funeral it is. They can then inform the funeral director.

 On the day of the funeral the funeral conductor will ask the pallbearers to gather at the back of the hearse for a briefing. This will involve organising the bearers into height order and agreeing on a suitable position for them to stand in whilst carrying the coffin. This is to ensure that the carry is dignified, and that safety is maintained to those carrying the coffin.  

The funeral directors will then assist the family as they carry the coffin walking beside them as they enter the church or crematorium.

Suitable footwear is encouraged. It may seem daunting, but we promise to look after everyone involved making it as simple as we can.

Please let us know if you’d like to carry the coffin. It truly is a real privilege and one of the last things you can do for a family member or friend.

Church Services followed by burial or cremations.

If the funeral is going to take place in church, then there will be 3 opportunities to carry the coffin. The family can be involved in all 3 if they wish.

This would be:

Entering the church

Leaving the church to return to the hearse

Either entering the cremation or to the graveside

(We do advise that the funeral directors lower the coffin at the graveside, but a couple of family members could help with the assistance of the funeral directors.)