Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] bere, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] bǣr; akin to Old English beran to carry

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] bere, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] bǣr; akin to Old English beran to carry

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_century before 12th Century]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_century before 12th Century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1archaic : a framework for carrying

*1archaic : a framework for carrying

*2: a stand on which a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_body corpse] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin coffin] is placed; also : a coffin together with its stand  

*2: a stand on which a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_body corpse] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin coffin] is placed; also : a coffin together with its stand  

==Description==

==Description==

A '''bier''' is a stand on which a corpse, or coffin or casket containing a corpse, is placed to lie in state or to be carried to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grave_(burial) grave].

A '''bier''' is a stand on which a corpse, or coffin or casket containing a corpse, is placed to lie in state or to be carried to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grave_(burial) grave].

In Christian [[burial]], the bier is often placed in the [[center]] of the nave with candles surrounding it, and remains in place during the [[funeral]].

In Christian [[burial]], the bier is often placed in the [[center]] of the nave with candles surrounding it, and remains in place during the [[funeral]].

The bier is a flat frame, [[traditionally]] wooden but sometimes of other [[materials]]. In antiquity it was often a wooden board on which the dead was placed, covered with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shroud shroud]. In [[modern]] times, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_body corpse] is rarely carried on the bier without being first placed in a coffin or casket, though the coffin or casket is sometimes kept open.

The bier is a flat frame, [[traditionally]] wooden but sometimes of other [[materials]]. In antiquity it was often a wooden board on which the dead was placed, covered with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shroud shroud]. In [[modern]] times, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_body corpse] is rarely carried on the bier without being first placed in a coffin or casket, though the coffin or casket is sometimes kept open.

A bier is often draped with cloth to lend [[dignity]] to the [[funeral]] service. The [[modern]] funeral industry uses a collapsible aluminium bier on wheels, known as a "church truck" to move the coffin to and from the church or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral_home funeral home] for services.

A bier is often draped with cloth to lend [[dignity]] to the [[funeral]] service. The [[modern]] funeral industry uses a collapsible aluminium bier on wheels, known as a "church truck" to move the coffin to and from the church or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral_home funeral home] for services.

Biers are generally smaller than the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin coffin] or casket they [[support]] for reasons of [[appearance]]. As a result, they are not particularly stable, and can tip over unless well centred and undisturbed.

Biers are generally smaller than the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin coffin] or casket they [[support]] for reasons of [[appearance]]. As a result, they are not particularly stable, and can tip over unless well centred and undisturbed.

[[Category: Anthropology]]

[[Category: Anthropology]]