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Our funeral directors guide to carrying the coffin

In many cases, friends or family would like to act as Pallbearers. If you are arranging a funeral you will need to decide who will carry the coffin.

Home » Advice » Carrying the Coffin
Funeral cortege

A funeral procession is also called a funeral cortege. It is a slow, solemn and respectful convoy of vehicles. The cortege conveys the deceased and mourners from the funeral ceremony to the crematorium or graveside.

The Funeral Cortege

Alternative funeral Ideas

 It’s often the little things that can make a loved one’s final goodbye or celebration more personal. Allow us to inspire you with some wonderful, unique, and alternative funeral ideas.

Guide to alternative funerals

Dressing the deceased

It has become popular to dress the deceased in attire that reflects a personal passion. This might be a hobby, occasion or achievement.  Examples are wedding dresses, football strips, military uniforms, or motorbike leathers. You are also welcome to bring in your loved one’s make-up, perfume, or aftershave.

Guide to Dressing the Deceased

How to write a eulogy

Writing and delivering a eulogy is a deeply emotional experience. It can be a positive experience for some, it must be remembered that it can be too difficult for others.

Guide to delivering a eulogy

The funeral reception

The funeral reception, or wake, held after the funeral service can be a traditional or unique affair.  Personalised funerals become more popular. Therefore, people are choosing to use this time to celebrate the life of their loved one rather than mourn their passing.

Guide to organising a funeral reception

Newspaper notices

The newspaper notice or obituary is an important opportunity to publicly announce the death and funeral details. It can also be used to detail where any donations or floral tributes and funeral flowers can be sent.

Guide to writing an obituary

After the funeral

After the funeral, you are not alone. Bennetts Funeral Directors will continue to support you. We offer all our bereaved families practical information and a vast network of bereavement support services.

Guide to bereavement support

Bereavement support

Dealing with loss and bereavement can be a very difficult and confusing time for any individual or family and losing someone we love is probably one of the hardest experiences many of us will ever go through. Our local bereavement support groups, courses, and seminars will guide and support you through your healing process. You are not alone!

Bereavement Support Services

carrying-the-coffin

A Pallbearer is traditionally one of the people who will help to carry someone’s coffin from the hearse to the funeral venue. In addition, if the deceased is being buried they will continue carrying the coffin to the grave. As a rule, four or six Pallbearers carry or escort a coffin at the funeral. As a rule, the people chosen to do this are usually very close family members and friends.  Moreover, family and friends may ask to carry out this important funeral role.  We will discuss this with you when making funeral arrangements.

In spite of the fact that it is an honour to be asked, you do not have to accept the role of Pallbearer. For this reason, our Funeral Directors offer the helpful suggestion of forming a guard of honour to also walk beside or behind the coffin on its final journey.

Carrying the coffin requires experienced Pallbearers

Under the guidance of our insurers, we would actively dissuade untrained bearers from carrying a coffin. However, should a request be made to bear the coffin, then a training session will be provided. We would like to stress that our bearers are very experienced and highly trained for their work, and therefore our professional team of bearers is preferred.  We do, however, recognise that the opportunity to bear the coffin of a loved one is very important to some.  For this reason, should family and friends wish to carry the coffin our bearers are in attendance throughout the funeral proceedings, consequently minimising any risk.
If you are arranging a funeral for a loved one, please feel free to ask Bennetts Funeral Directors for advice if you or any family members are considering carrying the coffin.
Call us on 01277 210104 or 01277 627492, we are here to help.