Why Do We Still Carry Coffins Into Church?

[Gavmacp]

Was at a funeral today and watched the pallbearers' carrying the coffin in. As someone that has a back issue it made me twinge. Why in this day of health and safety does this continue?

[Barsel]

Tradition?

[Baldric]

I'm just guessing here, but possibly there are still Pallbearers available without back problems.

[Gavmacp]

Looked after a few with back problems.

[rockyracoon]

I think a lot of people like to do it, maybe the feel it's the last thing they can do for the deceased. When my father-in-law died my son who was 15 at the time had no hesitation when asked if he wanted to 'shoulder' his grandads coffin.

[EcclesCake]

Tradition, respect, wanting to take an active part in the send off of the deceased?????

[Bazile]

In certain communities ( affro carribbean for example ) it's a tradition .

The mourners also fill in the grave themselves

[bookbinder]

In some churches, access for trollies may be awkward because of steps.

[Elina]

Those that choose to carry the coffin feel more personally 'part' of the service & do it out of respect for the deceased. A privilege really.

[gness]

Evening, Gav.....it's tradition in our family for those close to carry the coffin, unless it's wicker as was MrG's....they fold up so have to be wheeled....x

[Gavmacp]

Hers was a basket which I have never seen before it was rather nice.

[naomi24]

//they [wicker coffins] fold up so have to be wheeled//

I've been to several funerals where wicker coffins were used. I've never seen one wheeled. Always carried.

In our 700 year old church we still have the barrow that the coffins were carried to the church on. Getting 'wheels' into a little old church like that would present a major problem. Everyone is carried.

[Old_Geezer]

They won't carry themselves.

[gness]

Maybe a different fabric, Naomi...we had to change the venue because MrG's coffin couldn't be carried up steps.

[237SJ]

Maybe if the pallbearers are provided by the funeral company they have to wheel the coffin in due to their employer having to adhere to health and safety rules. If the family or friends carry the coffin, then they can do it at their own risk

[Togo]

I have 5 brothers, as you can imagine at any funeral where we are connected to the deceased, we have inherited the duty. We do so willingly. We were once told that it was not allowed, health and safety guff. The coffin was carried in and out and then to graveside. The half baked funeral director was bemused.

[retrocop]

I would of thought the rigidity of a wicker coffin would be provided by the occupant at the time.! Surprised they flex !

[Togo]

It's not the cough that carries you off, it's the coffin they carry you off in.

[seadogg]

In the Yorkshire Moors there are many coffin roads (rough paths) as people often lived miles from their church. That was a carry!

Isn't it quite acceptable for the corpse to be carried on a bier with wheels?

[Gavmacp]

Walked a few coffin roads on Harris found it quite difficult without carrying anything.