On the Nature of Pall Bearers

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longtrekker

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
396
195
43
#1
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My Mom has just passed and it occurs to me people like to plan their funerals and I’m a bit concerned as to who she may pick for pall bearers – actually just one.

It’s a cousin (a ‘double’ cousin actually - thus very close…) who has harbored secret life long malice and ill will for me. I had esteemed him as a brother tho we were separated by a few years and thus had different social circles. We have no real ‘history’.

The revelation came about by accident in a most spectacular once in a lifetime manner - the details of which I won’t go into. But it was a moment when the mask came off and an imagined terrible downfall for me was a cause of rejoicing for him.

Additionally in looking back in our lives and sifting the clues this malice may not be just limited to me of our side of the family.

I sort of let things go (and to myself) because of the turmoil it would cause our family. I truly loathe making this funeral anything about ‘me’. But it bothers me immensely to have someone so precious to me carried by one who bears me such great and secret ill will.

One more thing, my mother’s selection of him would be mostly out of a sense of tradition – and not of any special affection for him…(who knows maybe she has selected no one! and I’m building up this all in my head…! won’t know for a few days I guess…)

So I wonder dear reader, hypothetically would u be offended if a pall bearer u wanted was scotched by one of your children for similar reasons? Or perhaps if u were a sibling of a brother or sister who wanted to nix the choice made by your parent for a bearer?
.
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,526
2,609
113
#2
You don't need a hypothetical answer.

You need to talk directly to the family, and tell them how you feel, and see what they say.

...
 

Kavik

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2017
795
159
43
#3
Sorry for your loss - I'm not sure of your specific traditions, but I have never heard of anyone ever picking their pall bearers as part of their pre-planed funeral arrangements.
 

GardenofWeeden

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2018
411
370
63
The Garden of Weeden
#4
I'm so sorry for your loss.

If your mother made her arrangements, this is what she wants(wanted). Apparently tradition is very important to her. Your emotions are running so high right now, that regardless of what he does, you won't feel right. Don't let your feelings override respecting your mother or her wishes.
I'd bite my tongue, not cause a scene and bury my mother if I were you, but that's just opinion.
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,924
9,673
113
#5
Yeah, uhhhh..

Typically a casket requires at least 6 or 7 people to carry it. A casket generally weighs 400 to 600 pounds even WITHOUT a body in it. Suck it up and let him be a pall bearer..
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,974
113
#6
you must 'over-come' the past, and simply do what Jesus would expect of you...
 

longtrekker

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
396
195
43
#7
It's all moot now. It never came up...a tempest in a teapot....

Over and done with - and it was beautiful day for us.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,165
1,795
113
#9
You could talk to your cousin about the percieved malice now that the funeral is over.
 
Oct 12, 2012
1,563
929
113
68
#10
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My Mom has just passed and it occurs to me people like to plan their funerals and I’m a bit concerned as to who she may pick for pall bearers – actually just one.

It’s a cousin (a ‘double’ cousin actually - thus very close…) who has harbored secret life long malice and ill will for me. I had esteemed him as a brother tho we were separated by a few years and thus had different social circles. We have no real ‘history’.

The revelation came about by accident in a most spectacular once in a lifetime manner - the details of which I won’t go into. But it was a moment when the mask came off and an imagined terrible downfall for me was a cause of rejoicing for him.

Additionally in looking back in our lives and sifting the clues this malice may not be just limited to me of our side of the family.

I sort of let things go (and to myself) because of the turmoil it would cause our family. I truly loathe making this funeral anything about ‘me’. But it bothers me immensely to have someone so precious to me carried by one who bears me such great and secret ill will.

One more thing, my mother’s selection of him would be mostly out of a sense of tradition – and not of any special affection for him…(who knows maybe she has selected no one! and I’m building up this all in my head…! won’t know for a few days I guess…)

So I wonder dear reader, hypothetically would u be offended if a pall bearer u wanted was scotched by one of your children for similar reasons? Or perhaps if u were a sibling of a brother or sister who wanted to nix the choice made by your parent for a bearer?
.
No! Forgive & Love; where sin does abound the grace of God does abound much more!! 😋
 
C

claysmithr

Guest
#11
if you don't forgive others God won't forgive you, see the Lords prayer