HomeAnswersWhat is a pallbearer?
What is a pallbearer?
A pallbearer is a person who helps carry the coffin at a funeral. The word pall also appears in funeral rites. In Catholic funerals, the Diocese of Orlando says a pall may be placed over the coffin as a reminder of the baptismal garment.
Some funerals also have honorary pallbearers. In military funerals the choice of honorary pallbearers rests with the family. Army guidance says they are selected by the family or its representative, or by the commanding officer if the family wishes, and that as a rule no more than twelve should be chosen. Navy guidance likewise says selecting them is the responsibility of the next of kin or family.
At military funerals the carrying is done by a casket team. Arlington National Cemetery says the casket team, also known as body bearers or pallbearers, is made up of members of the deceased's service branch. Before the service they drape an American flag over the casket, and at the end they fold it and present it to the next of kin. In an Army nine person honors detail, six active duty pallbearers also serve as the firing party.
At Arlington, when a spouse or eligible dependent of a service member is buried, the service member's branch provides a casket team.
The sources behind this answer
- The Britannica Dictionary defines a pallbearer as a person who helps carry the coffin at a funeral. Britannica Dictionary, pallbearer
- The Diocese of Orlando says a pall, as a reminder of the baptismal garment, may be placed over the coffin when it is received into church. Diocese of Orlando, Diocesan Norms for Order of Christian Funerals
- Arlington National Cemetery says the casket team, also called body bearers or pallbearers, is made up of members of the deceased's service branch. Arlington National Cemetery, Elements of Military Funerals
- Arlington says the casket team drapes an American flag over the casket before the funeral and folds and presents it to the next of kin at the end. Arlington National Cemetery, Elements of Military Funerals
- Arlington says that when a spouse or eligible dependent of a service member is buried there, the member's service provides a casket team and a chaplain if requested. Arlington National Cemetery, Military Funeral Honors fact sheet
- Army FM 3-21.5 says honorary pallbearers are selected by the family, its representative, or the commanding officer if the family wishes, and as a rule no more than twelve should be selected. US Army FM 3-21.5, Chapter 14 Funerals
- Army FM 3-21.5 lists six active duty pallbearers in a nine person funeral detail who also serve as the firing party. US Army FM 3-21.5, Chapter 14 Funerals
- Navy funeral guidance says selecting honorary pallbearers is the responsibility of the next of kin or family. US Navy NAVPERS 15555D, Navy Military Funerals
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