Casket Management

Basic Commands- 

1.  Guard/Detail forward- Take the appropriate number of steps forward to the casket sides and halt
     at the position of attention.

2.  Guard/Detail face- Face the casket, placing the outside hand on the casket/handle.

Casket Lift-

1.  Straight Arm Carry- (Count 1) Grasp handles.
                                     (Count 2) Raise the casket slightly off the rollers.  Remain facing the casket.

2.  Shoulder Carry- (Count 1) Grasp handles.
                               (Count 2) Raise casket to shoulder level and turn in unison.

Face Front- Face the direction of march in unison.

1.  Straight Arm Carry- Inside hand remains grasping the handle.  Outside hand at side.

2.  Shoulder Carry- Casket rests on shoulder.  Inside hand under casket for support.  Outside hand
                               grasping handle, casket, or at the side as determined by the situation.

Forward March- March forward at half step.  Keep arms straight and down at the site.  NO arm swing.

Guard/Detail Halt- Take one more step, then place trailing foot next to lead foot, ending at the position
                                of attention.

Raise Casket-

            (Count 1) Lift casket to shoulder height.  (use 2 counts if situation requires it).
            (Count 2) Lift casket as high overhead as needed to keep it level for loading on the caisson.

Lower Casket- For any of the lowers, keep the casket as level as possible, use both hands, finish
                          facing the casket, and keep both hands on the casket until command of "Attention"
                          is given.

1. Shoulder carry- (Count 1) Lower casket to straight arm carry.
                             (Count 2) Lower casket to ground.

2. Straight Arm Carry- Lower casket to ground.

Forward Casket- Pass casket sideways along a double column.

1. At Waist Height- After the casket is passed to the next person, remain at attention, facing center.

2. Overhead (onto a caisson)- Keep hands in the air until the casket has cleared the last person at
                                               that level, then lower hands in unison to the side.

Guard/Detail Attention- (After the lowering of the casket).

            (Count 1) Release casket and stand up while bringing hands to the waist in a fist.
            (Count 2) Lower hands to the side to the position of attention.  All other moves to
                            "Attention" will be done as normal.

General Information-

A.  When you will begin to carry the casket:
        1.  To where the casket will  be moved
        2.  How many people will be involved (This will vary greatly in each event.  Speak with the
            funeral home director and the Event Coordinator to discuss various quantities of people
            who will be involved along movements of the casket at the service and at the grave site).
B.  Be sure that the casket flag is secured to the casket prior to moving.
C.  Grasp the handles below the casket flag.