Why Is It Customary For Pall Bearers To Place Their Boutonniere On The Casket? | Yahoo Answers 4 Pallbearers

I have never attended a funeral where they did not do this. My Dad, was a pastor of a church and out of all the funerals I've been too, all pall bearers take of the boutonniere after placing the coffin on the site of the grave.

I did ask my Dad, when I was a child, why they did that? Daddy, told me that they take this off as a show of respect, after they have honored this person, for the last time by carrying them to their place of rest.

The pall bearers did this at my husband's funeral, just three months ago. As a family, we did not request this! They carried James to our burial place, sat the coffin down and one by one they placed their boutonniere's on his coffin and turned and walked away.

Then, the flowers were removed and placed to the side as the soldiers approached to fold the flag upon his casket. The gun salute was given, taps were played and the flag was folded with great respect. They turned and handed the flag to me. Then, the boutonniere's were placed on his casket again.