Grady Leneghan, 17, vividly recalls a Greek Orthodox funeral he attended last September in Cleveland. The unique rituals of the ceremony contrasted with the Roman Catholic traditions he was accustomed to, but what struck him most was the absence of family or loved ones for the deceased.
Leneghan served as a pallbearer through Saint Ignatius High School’s St. Joseph of Arimathea Pallbearer Ministry, a program aimed at honoring those who pass away without family by providing student pallbearers to carry them to their final resting place.
The St. Joseph of Arimathea Pallbearer Ministry at Saint Ignatius High School began in 2003 with 12 students, serving three funerals in its inaugural year. Today, the program has grown to include about 400 students annually, who volunteer for up to 180 funerals. Students like Leneghan find the experience both somber and enriching. “It makes you appreciate more of what you are, and who you are as a person,” he said.
Programs like these involve meticulous training to ensure that students understand the solemnity of their role as pallbearer. Blaise Weidmann, a junior at McQuaid Jesuit in Rochester, New York, explained the process: “We had to learn how the casket comes out of the hearse, how we carry it… and how fast or slow we have to walk with it.” Beyond logistical skills, students are also taught to offer spiritual support, participating in prayers and hymns to honor the deceased.
A Growing Movement Across the Nation
The success of Saint Ignatius’ program has inspired similar initiatives at other schools, including Catholic Memorial in Massachusetts and the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. These programs emphasize the Christian belief in the inherent dignity of every individual, regardless of their social or familial circumstances. Richard Mazyck, a service coordinator at the University of Detroit Jesuit, articulated this perspective: “Every person is made in the image of God and is deserving of a particular regard and respect.”
Honoring Forgotten Lives
Even in the absence of family, student pallbearers can offer solace to attendees when present. Evan Solar, a senior at Saint Ignatius, recalled a moment when a simple act of handing a sympathy card moved a mourner to tears. “She broke down in tears and was just so appreciative and thankful,” he said, highlighting the deep emotional impact of their service.
