Are you nervous about carrying a coffin? Most people are, even if they have done it before. It’s a big honour and a big responsibility, so you may feel some pressure to do it correctly on the day and it’s natural to be nervous. It can also be a very emotional experience to physically feel the weight of someone you knew and loved on your shoulders. At Exit Here we always support and encourage people to carry the coffin if they wish. Your funeral director will explain to you how to carry a coffin on the day, but if you want to be well prepared, here are the 5 main steps:

How do you carry a coffin?

Draw out the coffin from the hearse (it’s on rollers so it will be smooth). Place your hands underneath the coffin and get ready to take the weight (not by the handles).
Once the coffin is in the pallbearers hands, step back from the hearse and stand with the foot of the coffin facing the crematorium chapel or church. Your funeral director should say ‘onto shoulders’ or something similar, and pallbearers should lift the coffin onto their shoulders and face the chapel.
Begin walking into the venue, following the funeral director who will walk ahead. Everyone should try and keep in step with the person in front of them.
When you reach the catafalque or trestles, on the funeral directors command, transfer the coffin from your shoulders into your hands (like you started with at the hearse). Gently lower it onto the trestles or catafalque. If it’s being placed on a catafalque there will be rollers to help - once the coffin has been placed on step back so the next pallbearer can slide their section of the coffin along. If it’s on trestles everyone will need to take steps sideways until the coffin is above the trestles, then it can be lowered. The funeral director and their team will help with this and make sure it is correctly placed.
Take a step back from the catafalque or trestles and pause. Watch for the funeral director to slowly bow and copy them. Then take your seat. It is traditional and customary to bow to the coffin as a sign of respect for a life completed.

Our tips for carrying a coffin at a funeral:

If you have any injuries please tell the funeral director. If you have a bad shoulder then we can make sure you are not carrying the coffin on that side. If you are worried about strength we can place you in the order of bearers where you won’t be taking as much of the weight. However you should never put yourself and your fellow pallbearers at risk if you have a bad knee or back - you can always walk in with the coffin instead of carrying it.

Take it slowly. The faster you walk the more likely you are to get out of step. There’s no rush, and a slower walk has more impact anyway.
Check the route. Make sure you have seen inside the venue and where the coffin will go so you are prepared. Some churches especially have a very long aisle, so you’ll need to make sure the coffin is positioned as comfortably as possible on your shoulders. Are the doorways high enough to carry the coffin with the flowers on top? Is there any uneven ground or steps?
Make sure you are comfortable before walking. Your funeral director and team will check the position of everyone but if you feel like you are taking too much of the weight, or if it’s painful make sure you tell us. You can steady the coffin with your hand, hold one of the handles, or just let it rest on your shoulder, whatever feels most secure.

The most important thing to remember is not to overthink it, carrying a coffin is actually very intuitive, and there will be the funeral director and their team to help and support you on the day. Here are some of the most common questions we get asked about carrying a coffin:

Can women carry a coffin?

Of course they can! Traditionally it was always men, but this is the 21st century and there is no reason why women cannot carry a coffin. Our team will always help to give the initial lift onto shoulders at the head and foot, and lowering as well. All of our female members of staff have carried coffins too, and often step in if needed. We do recommend wearing sensible shoes (flats or block heels), however we have had people carrying a coffin in stilettos so although it’s definitely not recommended it is possible!

How many people carry a coffin?

Usually four or six people carry a coffin, but if it is very heavy or very long then eight people is possible too. If you have an uneven number of pallbearers then one of our team can step in to make the numbers equal.

Is carrying a coffin possible with different heights?

It’s best if the pallbearers are of similar height, but if not then as long as there are rough pairs (eg the two pallbearers at the front are of a similar height, and the two at the back are of similar height) the coffin can slope slightly and it’s not a problem.

Is carrying a coffin heavy?

It depends on the coffin and the size of the person who has died. A cardboard or willow coffin will of course be lighter than a solid oak casket. Just remember that the weight will be distributed as evenly as possible over the pallbearers shoulders so even if it’s heavy, you won’t be taking all of that weight yourself. The funeral director and their team will also help at the head and the foot of the coffin with the lift onto shoulders.

Which way do you carry a coffin into a church?

You always carry a coffin feet first into a church, crematorium, or any other venue where you are holding the funeral service. Practically this makes sense as most coffins are top heavy (a persons torso is usually the most heavy part) and the coffin design means it’s tapered at the bottom and uses less wood. Caskets don’t have this issue but you still carry them feet first (find out the difference between a coffin and a casket if you’re not sure). The only exception to this is when a vicar’s coffin is carried into a church it is head first, so they can face their congregation.

Is it hard to carry a coffin?

It’s not an easy task, emotionally or physically, but it’s hugely worthwhile and important. Most people say it wasn’t as difficult as they expected, and if you are properly instructed and supported you won’t find it too hard.

Is a coffin always carried on the shoulders?

A coffin is traditionally carried on the shoulders in the UK, but there are other methods too. You can carry by the handles (if they are weight bearing, check with your funeral director). People often choose this option if the height variation is too great to carry on shoulders, if they feel more comfortable carrying the coffin lower, or if you are carrying across very uneven ground (like at a natural burial ground). It is sometimes also necessary when the coffin with the flowers on top won’t clear the doorway. You can always lift onto shoulders after you are clear of the door.

You can also place the coffin on wheels and walk in with it that way. Some people choose to do this if they still want the symbolism of family or friends bringing the coffin or casket into the venue but they are not physically able to carry. Or perhaps the casket or the person is very heavy (a solid metal American Casket for example).

The Exit Here team are always happy to talk through how to carry a coffin in the days before the funeral or answer any questions or concerns you might have. Contact us and someone will always be able to help.

How To Carry A Coffin

How We Look After People Who Have Died

What Is Direct Cremation?