Answer to Pallbearer Injuries: Require Casket Transfers on Wheels

Casket carts on wheels are used to transfer caskets from one location to the next when family is not present. Funeral staff does not gather six to eight pallbearers simply to conduct transfers from the mortuary to the viewing room or church.

So, why aren't casket carts required for all transfers, including moving caskets after a funeral service from the church to the coach and from the coach to graveside?

Blame tradition, but times are changing and the injuries I've seen recently call attention to the problem at hand. Pallbearers and funeral directors are suffering unnecessary injuries.

Friends have asked me whether they should serve as a pallbearer.

My previous approach: if asked to be a pallbearer and carry a casket at graveside, I've advised friends and relatives of the moment's significance.

"It's an honor. Do it. Always say yes to carrying a casket," I'd say.

Now, I'm not so sure.

Injuries are happening to good and honest people, who think they're doing the right thing by helping to carry the casket of a friend or relative.

Funeral directors, who help carry caskets when a family doesn't have enough pallbearers, are also being injured: muscle tears, pulled muscles, back injuries, and shoulder dislocations that require months of rehabilitation.

If you think it doesn't happen – think again.

You only need to look at the studies to recognize the growing problems of obesity also carryover into the funeral industry. A heavier decedent will produce a heavier casket that requires people who are accustomed to lifting weights.

The problem is not that people are fat – there have always been heavy people. A family can purchase an extra-wide casket, but what about the pallbearers?

Pallbearers pulled randomly from a funeral services should consider the options before being expected to take part in a weight lifting exercise. Families often think tradition is the only way to go. But, there are choices.

With casket carts, pallbearers can hold the handgrip on the casket and still guide it to the coach from the church. Casket carts also roll across grass, so why not have the pallbearers guide the casket to graveside on wheels? It makes perfect sense, yet it´s not happening industry wide and I wonder why not?

Families should be told the truth. In Britain, sometimes pallbearers are asked to sign release forms.

If you were asked to sign a release form, maybe you'd think twice about carrying a casket and be more honest about how much weight you are able to lift.

Why struggle if you're unable to fulfill the position, which could result in serious injury.

The legalities for funeral homes and families are also something to consider: www.katesboylston.com.

Review your recent past in dealing with funeral services.

Ask yourself one question: who was chosen to serve as pallbearers at the most recent funeral you attended?

One year ago, my 12-year-old son was a pallbearer at my father's funeral. He had help on both sides of the casket, of course, from adults, but looking back it was the wrong decision. We didn't hesitate for a moment to throw him into a situation where his young arm would be expected to carry a percentage of the weight of both his grandfather's body and the casket.

I've witnessed family members whose arms are not worthy of the job. Trying to hide their discomfort, they laugh or complain while carrying a casket all the way to graveside. It's not funny after they´ve set the casket down, to find them rubbing their sore arms.

Funeral homes need to consider the number of serious injuries, while families need to consider their options.

Before you are a pallbearer – ask questions.

Do I want to go to the reception and enjoy myself or do I want to tempt a chance of going to the emergency room for an x-ray or treatment for a back injury?

Do I want to be forced to skip the reception because I have to go home to ice my injured arm instead?

If I suffer a serious injury, do I want to endure possible surgery and rehab for a bad shoulder that lasts a lifetime?

Casket carts are the obvious answer and no one gets hurt.

In fact, I have participated in funerals where casket carts were used in every transfer as pallbearers walked alongside the caskets, holding onto the hand railing.

The transfers that took place with casket carts were equally as honorable and meaningful, as no one had to carry the casket a long distance.

Just think, does the decedent really mind if he or she is carried by the pallbearers or rolled on wheels with the honorary pallbearers walking alongside without really carrying the burden of unexpected weight lifting?

When the time comes, please walk beside my casket and remember I loved bicycle riding on wheels. This will be my final ride and it's one I'd rather take on wheels so no one gets hurt.

Remember me for my life, not for the injury I caused in making you my pallbearer.