The thing that most surprised 17-year-old Grady Leneghan about a Greek Orthodox funeral he went to in Cleveland last fall was that no family members were present. He was there as a member of the St. Joseph of Arimathea Pallbearer Ministry at Saint Ignatius High School, which supplies student pallbearers at funerals of those who have lost loved ones.
The program, which began in 2003 with just 12 pupils, now serves up to 180 funerals annually and has 400 students.
Volunteers receive training in both providing spiritual support and carrying a coffin with dignity.