The role of the pallbearers is often an honourary one since many services are often planned without the presence of coffins. The member of the family who is in charge asks six or eight people who were close friends of the deceased to be honourary pallbearers. This may be done when they come to pay their respects, or by telephone. When someone has been prominent in public life, there may be eight or ten of his or her political or business associates as well as six or eight lifelong friends. Members of the immediate family are never chosen, as their place is with their family.

Honourary pallbearers do not carry the coffin when a coffin is present. This service is performed by the assistants of the funeral director, who are expertly trained. The honourary pallbearers sit in the first two pews on the left, and after the service leave the church two by two, walking immediately in front of the coffin.

Honourary pallbearers serve only at funerals, not at memorial services.

There are almost never any honourary pallbearers at the funeral of a Christian woman, but in the Jewish faith both men and women may have honorary pallbearers.

One cannot refuse an invitation to be a pallbearer except for illness or absence from the location in which the funeral is being held.