pallbearer

[pawl-bair-er] /ˈpɔlˌbɛər ər/
noun
1.
one of several persons who carry or attend the coffin at a funeral.
Origin
1700-10; pall1 + bearer
Examples from the web for pallbearer
  • Mike was a member of the governor's wedding party, and a pallbearer at the funerals of both of the governor's parents.
  • They are involved in other volunteer activities that support veterans, such as pallbearer teams and rifle squads.
  • The pallbearer carrying the flag is always positioned to the right of the remains.
  • But today they are as prominent as a pair of yellow shoes on a professional pallbearer.
  • He then informed me that he was a pallbearer at a funeral, when the telegram reached him.
British Dictionary definitions for pallbearer

pallbearer

/ˈpɔːlˌbɛərə/
noun
1.
a person who carries or escorts the coffin at a funeral
Word Origin and History for pallbearer
n.

also pall-bearer, 1707, from pall (n.) + agent noun of bear (v.). Originally one who holds the corners of the pall at a funeral.