Why is a Casket Carried Feet First at Funerals?

When a person passes away, one of the final ceremonies that takes place is the funeral.

Part of this ceremony involves transporting the body, usually in a coffin, to the place of burial or cremation. 

Coffins and caskets are carried feet first as it is safer and less likely to disturb the body in transport. In addition, many cultures believe that carrying a body feet first has symbolic merit, as it is how humans walk when alive.

Of course, that’s only part of the full picture.

In this article, I will explore why a coffin is often carried foot first during funerals.

Because it is Safer

One reason a procession will carry the coffin feet first is for health and safety reasons. 

When a coffin is carried with the feet facing forward, the lighter part of the body, the legs, are at the front. This makes the coffin less likely to tip over. 

This is important when the coffin is carried down stairs or on uneven terrain on its way to the funeral venue. It enables the funeral procession to navigate challenges more safely. Yes, caskets are usually locked, but this isn’t always enough.

A casket being dropped can be traumatizing, so it’s something to avoid at all costs. Touching the deceased at a funeral service is usually okay, but no grieving family wants to be picking their loved one’s body off the ground.

Another practical reason for carrying the coffin feet first is that it can be easier for the pallbearers to grip the coffin handles and maintain a secure hold. 

If the coffin is carried head first, weight-bearing handles at the head can be awkward for the pallbearers to hold onto!

It Is Less Likely to Disturb the Body

One thing funeral directors do not want is for the deceased’s body to be thrown around inside the casket. 

While they will put in padding to help keep the body stable, more is needed.

Carrying the body feet first can further help with minimizing disturbance.

When a coffin is carried the other way around, with head end at the front, the head and neck are more likely to shift. This can be unsettling for some people and may cause the body to disarrange within the casket. 

Additionally, because of the weight distribution, the head of the coffin is more likely to bump into objects. This is because while the foot end of a casket is light, the head end is heavy.

By carrying the coffin with the foot end of the casket up front, it is easier to keep the body in a horizontal position, which may be more respectful and less disturbing to some people.

The deceased’s body is better protected from these disturbances when carried feet first.

Symbolic and Superstitious Reasons

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different symbolic and superstitious funeral traditions worldwide.

In some cultures, the feet are the foundation of the body. Carrying the casket feet first can be seen as honoring the person’s life and the journey they took.

This might be particularly relevant if the person had a long and fulfilling life. In these cases, the funeral procession can be viewed as a final journey or farewell to the person who has walked foot first their entire life.

Another symbolic reason for carrying the coffin foot end first may be to represent the idea that the person is walking toward the afterlife spiritually, and their final resting place physically.

Some cultures believe the journey to the afterlife begins at the moment of death. Carrying the coffin feet first can be viewed as a way of marking this transition and is often recommended by funeral homes.

Historically, some thought the feet were a particularly vulnerable body part. Carrying the coffin feet first was a way for them to safeguard the deceased’s spirit from harm. It’s also a reason we cover them.

Interestingly, an exception is that Christian priests will be carried head first, so they are facing their congregation at the funeral.

In Closing

There are several reasons why the coffin is often carried foot first during funerals. 

Some of the practical reasons include ensuring safety, minimizing disturbance to the body, and making it easier to carry the casket. 

Other things to consider include symbolic or superstitious reasons, such as honoring the person’s life, marking the transition to the afterlife, and protecting the body from spirits. 

Regardless of the reason, the tradition of carrying the coffin feet first is one that is ingrained in many cultures around the world.