Who Can Serve as Pallbearers?

Pallbearers are the individuals who carry or escort the casket at a funeral service. Typically, there are anywhere from 6-8 pallbearers present for a funeral service, depending on the handles on the casket that has been chosen for the deceased. In some case’s there are two handles on each end as well as three on each side, allowing eight people to serve as pallbearers.

When you have been chosen to serve as a pallbearer at a funeral service for a loved one, this is truly an honor. If you are pre-planning a funeral and deciding who you wish to have as your pallbearers, think about who you would like to have this honor to. Typically, pallbearers are family members or close friends.

Both women and men serve as pallbearers. The decision lays on the mere fact that a casket is a heavy, physical carrying and the person selected must be able to bear the weight. Although there are honorary pallbearers, where in some cases when someone is not physically capable of carrying the casket, they walk next to the casket as it is being carried and follow. There is absolutely no limit as to how any people can serve as honorary pallbearers.

Common choices for selecting pallbearers are siblings, adult children, grown grandchildren, nieces and nephews, close friends, and colleagues. Anyone you choose can serve as a pallbearer at your funeral.

As pallbearers are the individuals who escort the casket, if there is no casket, or a cremation was planned rather than a burial, there is, in this case, no need for pallbearers and would only be appropriate if there will be a casket present for the service.

If you have any questions on this topic or would like to speak to our professionals here at, Tindall Funeral Home, you can contact us here and we will be happy to help you find the answers you may be seeking.