Planning a funeral is never easy, especially when the deceased hasn’t left specific instructions. Families often find themselves making many difficult decisions choosing a casket, arranging for burial or cremation, selecting a burial plot, and more. One important responsibility is choosing pallbearers. If you’ve been asked to carry a casket and it’s your first time, knowing what to expect can help you approach the task with confidence and respect.

Being a Pallbearer: An Honor and a Responsibility

Being asked to serve as a pallbearer is a meaningful honor. It means the deceased or their loved ones trusted you and valued your role in their life. While the occasion is somber, the responsibility is a symbolic final act of service and respect.

Pallbearers typically help transport the casket during the funeral service. This often includes carrying it from the funeral home to the hearse, and from the hearse to the burial site or church. In traditional burials, caskets are usually carried more than once. For cremations, a rental or cremation casket may be used and moved less frequently, but the role remains equally important.

How to Carry a Casket: Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Prioritize Safety

Before agreeing to be a pallbearer, consider your physical health. If you have a back, neck, shoulder, or knee injury, it’s best to politely decline. Carrying a casket can be physically demanding, and you don’t want to risk hurting yourself or others during the service.

2. Use Proper Lifting Techniques

Caskets can be carried either on the shoulder or by the handles. Shoulder carries look more formal but place more strain on the body. If the handles are load-bearing, use them to lift and carry the casket. This method is often more practical, especially indoors or on uneven ground. If the surface is slippery or difficult to walk on, a shoulder carry may be safer.

3. Plan Ahead

Before the ceremony, familiarize yourself with the route. Make sure it’s clear of obstacles both above and below watch for low doorways, steps, and slippery surfaces. If possible, arrange pallbearers by height: shorter individuals in front and taller ones in the back, for better balance and coordination.

4. Be Aware of the Weight

The weight of a casket can vary, but some may weigh up to 400 pounds before adding the weight of the deceased. Six pallbearers are usually sufficient, though sometimes eight are used. Be sure to lift in unison with your fellow pallbearers to distribute the weight evenly.

5. Walk Slowly and Steadily

Always move at a slow, even pace. This is both respectful and practical. Taking large or uneven steps can throw off the rhythm and increase the risk of tripping or imbalance. There’s no need to rush; your role is ceremonial and should be handled with calm and grace.

The casket should be carried feet first. This is a traditional practice that symbolizes the deceased’s final journey and helps prevent any fluids from rising during transportation.

6. Keep the Casket Level and Stay in Step

It’s important to keep the casket as level as possible, especially when going up or down stairs. This prevents anything placed on top, like flowers, from falling. Those on the lower end of the steps may need to lift slightly higher to maintain balance.

Staying in step with the other pallbearers is also important. It creates a dignified appearance and prevents anyone from stepping on another’s foot. If you’re in the middle or back, follow the person in front of you. If you’re at the front, follow the funeral director or lead carefully.

7. Always Turn Clockwise

When turning, always rotate clockwise. This tradition is symbolic, representing the forward movement of life and the passage of time. It also ensures that all pallbearers move in the same direction, avoiding confusion or missteps.

8. Use One Hand on the Handle

When carrying the casket, use only the hand closest to it. Gripping with both hands is uncomfortable, inefficient, and awkward. Use both hands only when lifting or lowering the casket. You may switch sides with the person opposite you if needed for comfort.

9. Follow the Funeral Director’s Instructions

A funeral director or conductor will usually guide you through the process. If you’re unsure what to do, don't wait for clear instructions. It’s always better to pause and be still than to make an error during such a solemn moment.

10. Stay Calm and Collected

It’s natural to feel pressure, but don’t let anxiety take over. You’re not alone—several people are helping to carry the casket, and it’s very unlikely that anything will go wrong. Even if someone stumbles or a handle breaks, others are there to support the weight and help recover gracefully.

What If the Casket Is Wheeled?

In some services, especially in indoor or larger venues, the casket may be placed on a wheeled bier. When pushing a wheeled casket, grip the thumbscrews rather than the side handles. The thumbscrews offer better height and control, allowing for an easier and more stable grip. Holding the handles can force you to bend awkwardly, which is uncomfortable and visually distracting.

Etiquette and Attire for Pallbearers

Pallbearers typically gather near the hearse and wait quietly. Stand with your hands clasped in front of you and maintain a respectful posture. Once the ceremony begins, stay silent and move only when directed.

During the procession, use one hand to hold the casket. The other hand should rest by your side or behind your back. In some cases, pallbearers may have designated seating and participate in the service alongside family members.

Dress conservatively. Men should wear dark suits with ties and polished shoes. Women should wear modest, dark-colored outfits either a dress or suit with flats or low heels. Avoid high heels, as they can be difficult to walk in when carrying a casket.

Keep in mind that not all funerals follow the same customs. Some families may opt for a “celebration of life,” in which case less formal attire might be appropriate. When in doubt, ask the family or funeral director what’s expected.