Upon arrival at the cemetery for a committal service the funeral practitioner should first

• A. Greet the family
• B. Verify the obituary
• C. Assemble the pallbearers behind the coach
• D. Open the casket

Answer: (C)

The key action at the graveside is to establish the ceremonial lineup so the service can proceed smoothly. Assembling the pallbearers behind the coach first creates an orderly procession from the hearse to the gravesite and ensures the casket transfer can occur without confusion. This setup also signals that the rites are about to begin, helping keep the path clear and dignified for the family and attendees. Greeting the family remains important, but it naturally follows once the essential procession arrangement is in place. Verifying the obituary and opening the casket are not immediate graveside actions: obituary details are typically handled earlier in planning, and opening the casket is generally associated with viewing, not the graveside committal.