Coffins going in and out of aircraft

[Marky B]

When seeing the sad pictures of coffins going in and out of the military aircraft from Afghanistan,along
with the pall bearers,there is someone holding the coffin with his hand,as if he is trying to keep it steady. What is it for?
Marky B

[boxtops]

I think - it's just to steady it, in case the bearers trip as they are taking it down the ramp. I could be wrong.

[sarah_louise]

Yes it is standard protocol when travelling down an incline.

[ludwig]

As they're just supporting on their shoulders there's nothing to stop it sliding forward when you're going down the ramp. Can you imagine how terrible it would be if that happened?

[Famous5]

Years ago six of us in the office where I worked carried the coffin of a respected colleague. As we came down the steps of the church I heard a grating noise - remember my ear was pressed up against the side of the coffin. I thought the body was loose and going to slide through the foot of the coffin. It turned out to be the wreath which had been put on the top of the coffin as we left the altar; the underaker had forgotten about the steps and our inexperience