End the practice of shouldering coffins

The practice of shouldering coffins in this country should come to an end given the risk of injury to the shoulder and back.

People are also drafted in at the last moment to shoulder a coffin that could be travelling down a road for as much as half a mile or more.

The risk of back and injury is all too apparent and serious pain can result days after a coffin has been lifted.

Most coffins are very heavy and can weigh anything from 150kg to over 200kg if the deceased is heavy. This amount of weight is dangerous and undoubtedly leads to serious orthopaedic problems.

Funeral undertakers are all too aware of the problem when they are drafted in to help with the proceedings. Some have had to give up the profession altogetherbecause their back was destroyed in the course of their work.

It is time for people to be realistic about shouldering coffins and be reasonable about the distance they have to be carried and consider ending the practice altogether.

Maurice Fitzgerald

Shanbally

Co Cork