What is the origin of pallbearers wearing white gloves?

In tradition, being a pallbearer was considered to be an honourable position and was extremely common before the use of wheeled carriages to carry caskets off in Europe. Pallbearests wore white gloves and special boutonnieres simply to signify their significance in carrying the casket, especially because they were usually chosen from family members.

The white nature of the glove is likely linked symbolically to the white clothing worn during baptisms. This symbolism during the introductory rites of a funeral service are done so to signify the death and rebirth of a person during a baptism - and ties the two occasions in the life of symbolically, since most pallbearings occur at Catholic or Lutheran ceremonies.