Funeral Crew. Go on - ask away!
Discussion
I only carried a coffin once and it was bloody heavy, mainly as a relative on the other side was much shorter and I got all the weight.
Do you actually still carry the deceased on your shoulders, or do you use a trolley, what happens if they are like 30 stone, guessing thats not an option.
My abiding memory was I could sort of feel the body kind of moving a bit as we walked, is that just me or is it a thing ?
Do you actually still carry the deceased on your shoulders, or do you use a trolley, what happens if they are like 30 stone, guessing thats not an option.
My abiding memory was I could sort of feel the body kind of moving a bit as we walked, is that just me or is it a thing ?
J4CKO said:
I only carried a coffin once and it was bloody heavy, mainly as a relative on the other side was much shorter and I got all the weight.
Do you actually still carry the deceased on your shoulders, or do you use a trolley, what happens if they are like 30 stone, guessing thats not an option.
My abiding memory was I could sort of feel the body kind of moving a bit as we walked, is that just me or is it a thing ?
A lot of families still want the coffin borne in and we aim to do that wherever possible. We had one man who was just so big that he was taken in on a trolley. Do you actually still carry the deceased on your shoulders, or do you use a trolley, what happens if they are like 30 stone, guessing thats not an option.
My abiding memory was I could sort of feel the body kind of moving a bit as we walked, is that just me or is it a thing ?
I wouldn't have thought it's the body moving round - it's more likely to be the coffin shifting if the bearers are out of step.
SD.
Red9zero said:
Is it still a max of 30 can attend a funeral now ? I had a quick look yesterday (my Aunt passed away) but I found conflicting advice.
It depends on the venue. The funeral director will have the relevant capacities for each venue.Covid-19 Guidance said:
There are no legal limits on the number of people who can attend funerals or commemorative events. Those attending, arranging or managing such events should consider that it may be harder to manage the risk of spreading COVID-19 if spaces are crowded, and venue operators may set their own limits. Those involved in arranging or managing such events should see the working safely guidance.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemicMy condolences on your loss.
SD.
shed driver said:
ThanksWhen my aunt's funeral service was held during Covid restrictions, there was a problem with getting the body released. As the funeral/crematorium service had already been organised there was talk from the senior funeral director that an empty coffin might be used for the service. Does this happen often?
I suspect it was an empty coffin, as we didn't receive her ashes till some months later.
I suspect it was an empty coffin, as we didn't receive her ashes till some months later.
condor said:
When my aunt's funeral service was held during Covid restrictions, there was a problem with getting the body released. As the funeral/crematorium service had already been organised there was talk from the senior funeral director that an empty coffin might be used for the service. Does this happen often?
I suspect it was an empty coffin, as we didn't receive her ashes till some months later.
I've never heard of this, but with the way Covid guidelines were being changed on a day to day basis nothing would surprise me.I suspect it was an empty coffin, as we didn't receive her ashes till some months later.
As to the delay in returning the ashes, could that have something to do with not allowing visitors to the funeral directors? I'm sorry that I don't know for definite - I wasn't working in this role when Covid was in full swing.
SD.
condor said:
When my aunt's funeral service was held during Covid restrictions, there was a problem with getting the body released. As the funeral/crematorium service had already been organised there was talk from the senior funeral director that an empty coffin might be used for the service. Does this happen often?
I suspect it was an empty coffin, as we didn't receive her ashes till some months later.
It took us 4 weeks and a couple of phone calls to get the ashes.I suspect it was an empty coffin, as we didn't receive her ashes till some months later.
I was expecting a quicker turnaround. Perhaps they lost them and had to make up the quantity.
Ashes and the distribution thereof seems a bit pointless anyway.
shed driver said:
Following my early retirement from the NHS this year I have been working part time at a local, independent Funeral Directors. I am employed to be a driver and bearer.
I'm still learning the ropes so may not know the answer to all the questions.
SD.
Any carryover from your username? I'm still learning the ropes so may not know the answer to all the questions.
SD.
I live near a fairly busy cemetery/crematorium, so regularly see folk taking their final journey in a hearse, usually a stretched and coach built Jag XF.
Is this mandatory though? Does anyone ever rock up in the back of a Volvo 940 estate procured from Facebook Marketplace?
J4CKO said:
I only carried a coffin once and it was bloody heavy
That's also my recollection. I arrived at my cousin's funeral and was told his cousins and mates would carry the coffin, we were given 5 secs tuition and the proper pall bearers said 'It'll be OK, we'll be nearby if there's a problem'. Fortunately it went OK!There were 6 of us carrying him - my friend who's 'in the trade' says they can do it with 3 (2 one side, one in the middle on the other) when they're short of people!
glenrobbo said:
HOW BLOODY MUCH???!!!!!
I've decided that my funeral will be a fancy dress do.
Do you get many of those?
I've worn several different colour ties - pink seems to be a very popular colour at present. Families are frequently in football shirts, bright colours etc.I've decided that my funeral will be a fancy dress do.
Do you get many of those?
steveo3002 said:
if you ask that the person is laid to rest with a wedding ring or certain piece of jewellery , does it get stolen and taken up cash convertors?
It's not as common now to be buried with jewellery as it was say 20 - 30 years ago. It's part of the checklist we carry out with each funeral - ensuring that families get mementos such as locks of hair, fingerprints or to be laid to rest with a photograph or other object.SD.
shed driver said:
PopsandBangs said:
Has anyone ever dropped the coffin 
No, but we have done a bit of bambi on ice when someone polished the altar steps a few weeks ago. SD.
I've thought about starting one if these threads for a while and I'm happy to contribute here. I've worked for an independent funeral directors for over 15 years. Funeral duties as per the OP, but also the collection and preparation of the deceased once they are in our care.
Bearing the coffin on our shoulders is still how we do it where possible, although I believe this varies across the country. Weight is an issue. Empty coffins on their own weigh from around 30Kg, solid wood coffins can easily be >60Kg and American style caskets around 100Kg. With a normal adult being an additional 80-100Kg it's something we need to be carefull with. There does come a point where using a coffin bier/trolley and extra staff is the only real option.
I have never known of an empty coffin being used for a funeral, but it may have happened elsewhere. If the deceased's body hasn't been released by the coronors office there is the option of holding a memorial service, without the coffin, and having the burial/cremation at a later date. If its just the official paperwork that has been delayed we would be able to hold the funeral service as normal but, with the families knowledge, bring the deceased back into our care after the service and have the cremation or burial at a later date.
The actual cremation is usually completed on the day of the service, but there may be circumstances where this is delayed to the next day. The ashes should be available for collection the next day. I don't know why it would have taken 4 weeks unless there was a miscommunication, other arrangement in place.
Bearing the coffin on our shoulders is still how we do it where possible, although I believe this varies across the country. Weight is an issue. Empty coffins on their own weigh from around 30Kg, solid wood coffins can easily be >60Kg and American style caskets around 100Kg. With a normal adult being an additional 80-100Kg it's something we need to be carefull with. There does come a point where using a coffin bier/trolley and extra staff is the only real option.
I have never known of an empty coffin being used for a funeral, but it may have happened elsewhere. If the deceased's body hasn't been released by the coronors office there is the option of holding a memorial service, without the coffin, and having the burial/cremation at a later date. If its just the official paperwork that has been delayed we would be able to hold the funeral service as normal but, with the families knowledge, bring the deceased back into our care after the service and have the cremation or burial at a later date.
The actual cremation is usually completed on the day of the service, but there may be circumstances where this is delayed to the next day. The ashes should be available for collection the next day. I don't know why it would have taken 4 weeks unless there was a miscommunication, other arrangement in place.
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