pallbearer
noun
pall·bear·er
ˈpȯl-ˌber-ər 
: a person who helps to carry the coffin at a funeral
also
: a member of the escort or honor guard of the coffin who does not actually help to carry it
Examples of pallbearer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When planning his funeral, an unintended slight could ignite the reordering of eulogists or the dropping and replacement of a pallbearer, only for them to be brought back again days later.
—
Griffin Dunne, Vulture, 19 June 2026
David Beckham and Arnold Schwarzenegger were among attendees while Will Smith and Mike Tyson served as pallbearers.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
The hosts had sharp improvisational instincts, like many of the Strike Force Five pallbearers who joined Colbert for a more substantial sendoff earlier this month.
—Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2026
One of the attendees Tuesday, Mike Small, was a friend of Till-Mobley’s and a pallbearer at her funeral.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pallbearer
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Griffin Dunne, Vulture, 19 June 2026
David Beckham and Arnold Schwarzenegger were among attendees while Will Smith and Mike Tyson served as pallbearers.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
The hosts had sharp improvisational instincts, like many of the Strike Force Five pallbearers who joined Colbert for a more substantial sendoff earlier this month.
—Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2026
One of the attendees Tuesday, Mike Small, was a friend of Till-Mobley’s and a pallbearer at her funeral.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pallbearer
Cite this Entry
“Pallbearer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pallbearer. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pallbearer
noun
pall·bear·er
ˈpȯl-ˌbar-ər
-ˌber-
: a person who helps to carry the coffin at a funeral
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