How many pallbearers are you going to need?
The pallbearers help to carry the casket during the funeral.Some of them wear white gloves to signify respect for the deceased or as a sign of purity.Depending on the tradition of the catholic community, you may have both pallbearers and casket bearers.The pallbearer is more of a ceremonial role than the casket bearers are.
Even if the casket is on an animal-driven cart or a vehicle, pallbearers may still be present on a symbolic level just holding a tip of the pall.There are many pallbearers at a catholic funeral.
Depending on the type of funeral pallbearers may be required or not.There are two main types of funerals with reference to pallbearers.
Closed casket funerals are held when the body is not open for public viewing or the family prefers it that way.
This requires that pallbearers bring the casket to the venue and then load it onto the hearse for the final burial preparation.
These types of funerals are usually held for family and friends.Voluntary public viewing of the body is partially open.
The staff at the funeral home take care of the lifting and carrying since the viewing is not during the Mass.There is no need for pallbearers at this point.
Modern catholic practices have pallbearers chosen from among family members, close friends or even colleagues of the departed.Depending on the wishes of the family, pallbearers could be hired from outside.
There is no gender prejudice when it comes to who becomes a pallbearer.Men are usually preferred to women due to the heavy lifting and carrying of the casket.Women often accompany the procession as pallbearers.
The decision on who becomes a pallbearer is usually made during the funeral planning session.A final service to the deceased is what most people consider pallbearing to be.
A catholic funeral usually has 6 to 8 pallbearers.The design of the casket may affect the number of pallbearers.
Most caskets come with six handles, three on each side, which requires six pallbearers and an extra two to relieve the rest in turns.
A complete set of pallbearers is required for some caskets with front and back handles.The pallbearers carry the coffin to the grave site.
It is important that you have personal consultations with the people before they are selected as pallbearers.
Those who are emotionally weak should be left out.The pallbearers should think about what to wear to the funeral.
Sam is the editor of Catholics and Bible.He is a proud father to a boy and twin girls.He thinks it is important to help people find a faith.It makes sense to live a life dedicated to God.