Pallbearers | Little Miss Funeral

I've gotten a lot of questions about pallbearers and what they actually do. I hope this video is helpful on the subject. If you enjoyed it, please like this video as well as subscribe so you don't miss out on any videos I put out in the future!
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[@tcalto2319]

When I was in the Air Force, I served on the base Honor Guard and was a pallbearer for many funerals. Being a 5'4" female, I usually was on either the foot or the middle of the casket. One time we had a new guy on a detail and he stepped into the wrong place when we were lining up to leave the church. I ended up on the head of the solid oak casket. I don't think that I ever lifted so much weight in my life until then, and I felt my knees pop as I held on tight! The 20 or so steps to the hearse were a very long walk! After we put the casket into the hearse, my knees popped again when the weight was relieved. It's an honor to be a pallbearer, but it is important that the smaller people either go on the foot or the middle of the casket, and the strongest on the head!

[@rickashford4005]

I have a similar story too. Read above.

[@drewwise5966]

I have been a pallbearer on several on several occasions. Lauren you are 100% right. It is a HUGE honor to be asked. The first time I was asked to be one was for my grandmother on my moms side who had passed from Alzheimer’s disease. She wanted her grandsons to carry her. There where 6 of us. Unfortunately because because she wouldn’t eat anything the casket weighed more than she did. Lucky me I was on the head end of the casket and when we picked it up her body shifted inside sending most of the weight my way. No disrespect or pun intended but I had about 178 lbs of dead weight just all of the sudden. To make matters worse or had rained hard at the cemetery the night before. At the cemetery I made sure to be on the side this time. We couldn’t take a standard straightish path to her grave. We have to weave our way around to avoid mud puddles and busting our tails. What shout have taken 5 minutes took a solid 10 minutes. Sad but true. Sometimes you just do what you gotta do.

[@pr.tobiastahvanainen9234]

I was a pallbearer at my dad's funeral in -96. I was 20 at the time, and we took the casket from the hears to the church, from the church to the back to the hearse again after the funeral service and finally at the graveyard we brought the casket from the hearse to the grave. We wore black suits with white tie and black shoes! And yes, it was an honor but it was so emotionally difficult. We were 6 pallbearers!

[@pr.tobiastahvanainen9234]

By the way, the casket wasn't too heavy. Our Mom chose a pinewood casket, since I'm a Swede and in Sweden Pinetrees are kind of the national treasure. We have ALOT of Pine forest in Sweden. It makes a beautiful light wooden colored casket and it isn't very heavy. On top of that daddy died from Altzheimers disease and he was very thin at the end. Thin and dehydrated! We had a closed casket at the funeral decorated the lid of the casket with Lilys. It was just such an honor to lower Daddy inte the grave. He had lived his life as a Pentecostal evangelist and preacher. I was a mess in those days. I wish that he knows somehow that his son is ok and that in doing Missions in Brasil and that Jesus gave me a family here. I can't have kids, bur I love kids. So when I was introduced to my wife but her grandmother (who wanted her to marry a Pastora) I instantly knew that God was restoring me from loosing both dad, mom, grandmother and grandfather on both sides mu h too early. Now I am part of a wonderful Christian family who loves me and whom I love as my own. I even call my in-laws mommy and daddy, and they call me son. My wife had a daughter that was 5 years old when we met. That pregnancy wasn't planned by my wife but by God it was most certainly planned. I feel so very lucky, although I miss mom and dad. But I still have my Bid B (Big Brother) in Sweden. He has been both mother, father (as they were both sick) and today we are absolutely the best of friends.

[@j.whiteoak6408]

@@pr.tobiastahvanainen9234 I'm so sorry for your loss .. Alzheimers is a dreadful disease. I wish you all the best.

[@pr.tobiastahvanainen9234]

@J.Whiteoak Thank you so much. Yes, they call Altzheimers disease the "relatives disease ". And that's so true. God bless you!

[@jefflappano9717]

Fantastic video as always Lauren! I have served as a pallbearer to all four of my grandparents who have passed away. It is definitely a special honor! I live a few hours away from you down the Thruway in Syracuse, so you and I both know how weather can affect an burial. My grandfather died in early April 2007. We had to take the casket a few rows back to the site and it was a muddy mess!

[@Booze129]

I was a pallbearer today. I work at funeral home but I only go when needed at the cemetery. Anyone who’s died from Covid will need extra disinfectant spray and good gloves. The more expensive casket the heavier it is but the person weight also plays a big factor

[@GemmasJourneyGrace]

thank you for explaining this in such detail lauren, i never understood what this actually meant.

[@jimbelter2]

Lauren is right about having good muscles as a pall bearer. When my grandfather died, he was buried in an oak casket. Let me tell you that thing was very heavy. We all struggled as pall bearers that day so it helps to know your strength and limitations before accepting this task. I never thought it would be that heavy

[@LittleMissFuneral]

Wood caskets are much heavier than most metal caskets. What an honor it must have been to carry your grandfather during your time of loss. I’m sure he would have been proud.

[@jimbelter2]

I was a teenager when he passed and I'm sure he was proud as well. It was a good thing I was weightlifting at the time

[@Scotty220]

Thank you for posting this. It was very helpful. I am to be a pallbearer for the first time this week and I'm looking around for as much advice as I can find.

[@lexfarmington8193]

I've been a pallbearer a few times. The most unexpected came while walking around my neighborhood cemetery for exercise. There were 2 funeral directors and 2 cemetery workers handling a burial. They asked if I would mind helping them get the casket to the grave. I think they recognized me from my daily walks there. Of course I helped them. They said the family didn't want to witness the burial (is that normal)? That makes me sad, but to each their own. It is certainly heavy. I have so much respect for military body bearers and police honor guards who do it with such precision. It is honestly one of my favorite things to watch (aside from the fact someone has passed).

[@LittleMissFuneral]

That was so kind of you to assist. Yes sometimes being at the graveside can be too emotional for the family, so they decide to end the services either at the church or funeral home.

[@visabel92]

When I was young as 7, I’ve wanted to be in the funeral business. I’ve thought of being a planner; it had been in the back of my mind and I greatly admire all that you do for people and their loved ones who passed. Always had admired it.

[@Cand0002]

I was a Pallbearer Three Times for three of my Grandparents. The first time I was an Honorary Pallbearer at my Grandma's Funeral in 1996 I walked behind her Casket, Second time was Pallbearer at my second Grandma's Funeral I carried her Casket from the Hearse to the Gravesite with 7 others, and last I was a Pallbearer was at my Last Surviving Grandfather's Funeral in 2015 the Funeral Home that did his Funeral had one of those Urn Arks where they place the Urn in the middle of The Ark and it has Handles on both sides so you carry it like a Casket.

[@DarkbutNotsinister]

Doggo wasn’t in the video, but made an audio appearance. Yes, I watch your funeral videos to see your doggo! 💜 (also gotta give 💜 to local content creators!)

[@ANNtique]

Always so interesting

[@Forese83]

I was one of the pallbearers at my father’s funeral and when we were going up the stairs outside of the church, I slipped, lost my footing and you can imagine the horror I went through for a couple of seconds. That caused a domino effect but fortunately the other pallbearers were able to balance the casket so we continue going into the service as if nothing had happened.

[@mrs.interpret]

i love the aesthetic 😍😍😍😍

[@aletcetera9883]

I’ve been a pallbearer at half of the funerals I’ve ever been to. My stepdad had his sons, my biological brother, and myself, with an additional 16 honorary pallbearers. My stepdad had put on a lot of weight and the coffin was made by local Mennonites and was very heavy. We ended up needing every one of those honorary pallbearers to load him up onto his boat and to get him back down off of it at the cemetery.

[@MrDonowens]

Couldn’t help notice the Fender Stratocaster. I bought one for my son and he took it outside and smashed it on the sidewalk. He almost needed some pallbearers after that.

[@kathrynsue1986]

i was for my great grand ma back in 2018 we didnt have the most in shape people for it 3 of us has to be on a certain side cause we had an arm or hand on one side that was way weaker then the other i was on the back left i ended up having to use both hands thankfully it was a vary short distance to the hearse and when we got to the grave yard the funeral home people transported the casket on a thing with wheels which was rather helpful it was in december and it was was raining and when we got to the graveyard we were told her grave was only half way done being dug so we had to leave her in the newly built mausoleum and have the graveyard workers take care of burring her after they finished digging we also had to pay an extra 200 or so dollars cause they had to work overtime to dig the grave

[@losangeleskingsfan4life822]

I was originally supposed to be a paulbearer for my great aunt in July 2017. Upon arriving at the cemetery. Everyone had parked their cars. The hearse was parked beside the gravesite. As everyone in my family got into place at the grave. Myself along 5 other family members including myself stood at the back of the hearse waiting to remove my great aunts casket with her in it ready to place her at the grave. The driver of the hearse begun to open the door to the back of the hearse. I began to ball my eyes out. 😭 The rest of my family knew that right there and then that I was in no state to be a paulbearer. So I was pulled from being a paulbearer. The funeral people that show up to be at the funeral came up with another idea. They had me walk in from of my great aunts casket instead while 6 of my relatives carried my great aunt to her resting spot. I was an absolute mess.

[@foxmccloud7055]

Question- Have you had a pallbearer accidentally hurt themselves or had the casket fall on a pallbearer's foot?

[@bernadetteherpakglisan7498]

My daughter who is now 14 was an honor pallbearers for her paps funeral she was 12 at the time.

[@jwbarnhartmusic]

One time long ago, in a land far away; I was a pallbearer at the funeral of a close friend. It was an interesting experience since I had never been at a Catholic funeral before. Overall, it was a good experience. If asked, I would do it again.

[@LittleMissFuneral]

Catholic masses are very different when it comes to funerals. I have a lot of experience with them, as the funeral home where I was previously employed served many Catholic families.

[@chrisjarkovsky1655]

I actually thought caskets were at least 300 lbs without the deceased in it. As far as covid is concerned is there any specific requirements that pallbearers need to comply to.

[@kaylapatek8421]

My cousin Donna and my amazing boyfriend carried my grandpa with 4 others to his resting place 1/29. He passed away 1/26. My BF didn’t hesitate when asked. Best BF ever 💔

[@DarkbutNotsinister]

Weird question- Do you listen to music when transporting a body? If so, do you sing the way you would do if you were in your car alone? I listen to some crazy music, not sure if Aunt Agnes would appreciate Five Finger Death Punch, even if she’s dead.

[@karachickering6769]

Isn't there an option of a wheeled cart, if strong bodies aren't available?

[@pr.tobiastahvanainen9234]

I love your informative videos. But, I'd love to see a real embalming procedure...

[@rosebucknermoontrapper481]

I seen alot of them videos here on youtube look them up ☺️

[@rosebucknermoontrapper481]

@Dennis Cruz EX JW VICTIMS SUPPORT your welcome enjoy the videos 😁

[@j.whiteoak6408]

There's quite a few videos of genuine embalming procedures on KZbin. There used to be hundreds of them on Bestgore channel, but unfortunately it's been permanentlymclosed down now.

[@pr.tobiastahvanainen9234]

Thanks ya'll got the quick and kind answers. We are kinda strange and goofy, ain't we? But I'm just so grosed out about death, the process of dying and mortuary stuff. I guess I should've been in the business! But I chose another path, I'm a Pentecostal Missionary Pastor in Brazil. So, I'm originally from Sweden. Came to Brazil 11 years ago to do Missions on the countryside and ended up marrying the most wonderful woman! So I left Sweden to stay serving the Lord in Brazil and today I'm Pastoring a medium sized Assembly of God church. So I do sit with dying people and do alot of visits at home and in hospitals, here in Brazil even Evangelicals have death wakes. Meaning, as soon as the body is relieved from the funeral home, embalmed or not (often times NOT) because people are generally poor here, the body stays in the casket for display for 12-24 hours depending on what time of the day that person passed away. During the evening/afternoon as the body arrives I as the Pastor of that person and often times their family too, has to be there. Sit with the grieving and try and confort them. Then I leave them alone for a few hours and 2 ushers stay. And if the body came to the church early in the morning, then it happens that we gather for a memorial service late afternoon and go to the cemetery in a prosession the same day, before sundown. BUT usually bodies are reliesed to the funeral service in the afternoon/evening and I go to church to spend a few hours with the family and then go home and prepare my funeral sermon and go to sleep early to get to church early next morning. At this time the whole congregation plus family and friends are usually gathered. Then we pass out pamphlets with a nice picture of the person who passed away and we sing some hymns chosen by the closest family. A few weeks ago we had one burial service where the woman that had passed on home to Jesus had been in the lady's quire for 35 years. So the whole quire was there and sang two of her favorite hymns. Then before noon we took her in prosession behind the herch to the graveyard and laid her to rest in the ground. She looked beautiful and peaceful so I guess she had been embalmed. And if a body stats on display all night at Church and having in mind that here in the Northeast of Brazil it gets VERY hot (our winter is june-august or september, depending on the rain), well them our winter is hot and very humid and we get these tropical rains. In that condition the body starts to smell pretty quickly, so we'd want the actual burial to take place ass soon as possible. Usually within 18-24 hours following the release of the body to the funeral home. And one more thing, here in Brazil 99% of the caskets are open caskets, but because of the heat we have to cover the body with a fine mosquito net, that way we don't have to deal with flies of any other nasty bugs. The thin white net has another function as well, you don't see all the details so "up in ya'lls face". Here the only time that the morgue wants to keep the body for a while...sometimes up to a week, which is a LONG time here is if crime is suspected. But if it's 'ol granny or a person known to have some serious diseases and you know the cause of death then papers are filled out quickly at the morgue and then the funeral home picks the body up and brings it to Church for the death wake. Sorry if I was ranting. Just thought you guys might think it was interesting to know how things are donne here in coffee, canesticks and corn 🌽 land!

[@j.whiteoak6408]

@@pr.tobiastahvanainen9234 Thank you so so much for the work you do and for sharing it with us. Brazil has one of the highest murder rates in the world, and particularly brutal crimes, so I pray they all find an intimate relationship God! I grew up Assembly 8g God in Australia, but we do not have open caskets, nor those little glass viewing panels that Sth Americans seem to prefer - and only the closest of family members would ever view the body here. Most of the time that doesn't happen either - either you are with the deceased at the moment that they pass, or that's that. They are simply gone. But mortuary practices have always interested me, and I started studying to become a Mortician twice, but both times there were interruptions early on and I ended up studying something completely different. I know that an embalmed body is perhaps kinder to look upon, but it's not necessarily kinder to the body, and it's certainly not kinder to the environment! The embalming fluids are toxic, are carcinogenic, and are known to seep into the ground in cemeteries and then get into the water table - it's REALLY BAD, and I have told my husband that if he allows me to be embalmed I will come back and haunt him! (LOL!) But perhaps in your warm climate you could encourage your parishioners to break with tradition and bury your dead a little sooner? Bodies begin purging and snotting and decomposing very quickly, even in a relatively comfortable ambient temperature - and it only takes one fly a few seconds to lay hundreds of eggs! Have you never seen maggots during your wake vigils? I don't see how a net could possibly do the job - flies get in everywhere! I would want to get them buried asap, but that's just me. Anyway, I hope you can find an embalming video? It's interesting, but I think it's a practice that should be stopped, as it only keeps a body in viewable condition for around a week to 10 days, and they will decompose just like everyone else - but the chemicals will poison the earth and the water as well, and very unnecessarily. I believe natural burials are by far the best. Thanks again for sharing.

[@dianebartal8727]

Who plays that guitar, you or your hubs?

[@LittleMissFuneral]

Husband!

[@dianebartal8727]

I asked because I also play the guitar, and my husband is a drummer!!@@LittleMissFuneral

[@nicolerodanhisler5342]

I just lost my uncle to cancer

[@LittleMissFuneral]

I’m so sorry for your loss

[@nicolerodanhisler5342]

Thank you

[@pr.tobiastahvanainen9234]

Sorry for your loss!

[@nicolerodanhisler5342]

He had cancer and a brain tumor

[@nicolerodanhisler5342]

@@pr.tobiastahvanainen9234 I never carried a casket before

[@rickashford4005]

Please families... don't send children to do an adult job. When my aunt passed away, she was a big woman and put in a rosewood casket. Extremely heavy to start with. My father, brother and myself represented my uncle's side of the family and on her side of the family they chose one man and two little boys, ages 12 & 10. After talking to the funeral director, we decided to put then on each side under her feet, the lightest end. So essentially there were four of us carrying her from the hearse to the grave site. We almost dropped her several times struggling with her. We made it. I had hernia surgery not long after. But PLEASE!!! Once again... families please!!! Don't send children to do adult jobs.

[@suwanneekid2616]

150 lbs?Grab a 16 gauge or an Omega Bronze.I remember A National Copper Deposit weighed about 800 lbs.

[@LittleMissFuneral]

I did say an average steel casket (meaning 20 gauge). Yes, there are caskets that way much more, wood included.

[@homessiegerson1033]

Ok, why does a funeral director “require” pall bearers to wear gloves? It’s not like you have to worry about catching a contagious disease from the deceased. This is almost like an insult to the deceased and their family like “I won’t touch that thing barehanded “. Could never understand the reasoning behind this. Served as a pall bearer at my Dad’s funeral. Specifically told the undertaker “no gloves” after being told the reason why we were supposed to wear them. To identify us to others at the wake? Really?! Everyone there knew who we were, as there were fewer than 30 people total! Yes, being a pall bearer is an honor. But save the money on the gloves for other things. (One funeral home I got a price quote from showed me a list where they wanted $100.00 for 6 pairs of gloves! What a rip off!)

[@LittleMissFuneral]

Some funeral directors look at it as respectful to the deceased. Jewelers wear gloves when handling precious diamonds - same concept when it comes to pallbearers. You’re caring someone very precious.

[@londonkyguy]

Suppose you dont have any Pallbearers. How does the funeral home handle that.

[@lockdownlegs8835]

I think the funeral home can supply pallbearers if needed x

[@LittleMissFuneral]

The other comment is correct - as long as the funeral home knows ahead of time we can provide additional people.

[@lockdownlegs8835]

Omg Little Miss Funeral replied to my comment 😮☺️

[@bruceliggett8036]

Dude, are you on your knees or are you actually that short? Either way you're so adorable 😁