where did the term pallbearer come from
The term pallbearer is used to signify someone who bears the coffin which the pall covers. Some traditions distinguish between the roles of pallbearer and casket bearer. The former is a ceremonial position, carrying a tip of the pall or a cord attached to it. The latter do the actual heavy lifting and carrying. pallbearer in the USA will carry a casket by the handles, and at around waist height. In the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland, the casket is carried on the shoulders, and the handles are for the most part decorative.