RSL FUNERAL RITUAL

The RSL funeral ritual is a final tribute to Ex-Servicemen and Women who served their country during war or peacetime. It is frequently a great source of comfort and pride to bereaved family and friends.

As the Ritual makes special reference to RSL membership therefore by tradition it may only be used for a non-member if requested of the family of the deceased and with the approval of the local Sub-Branch. A suitable adjustment to the wording of the Ritual appropriate to the service rendered by the deceased is required.

RSL BURIAL - RITUAL I

The Ritual has been approved by his Grace, The Archbishop, for Roman Catholic use only if no one but laymen take an active part.

Sub-Branches are to make arrangements for poppies, speakers, buglers or tape recordings.
The procedures may be varied as desired and adapted for cremations:

Sub-Branch representatives assemble the ex-servicemen and women and hands to each a poppy.

They form into 2's or 4's and march towards the hearse, then divide to form an escort on each side of the hearse as it proceeds to the cemetery.

Preceding the hearse, they form an avenue through which the casket is borne to the grave at which they assemble behind the mourners on the left side of the Minister.

After the Church service, the RSL representative taking the Minister's place, says (address may be altered to suit circumstances): "We are assembled here today to pay a last tribute to ...... who served with us in war and has now gone to join the great army of those who fell in battle in defence of the nation."

"......came through the ordeal of war. How well he served will be known to many here today; how he served his fellow men on his return is known to members of the RSL who mourn with me the passing of loyal friend."(Personal Details here)

"Remembering his many qualities - the happy times we spent together - we join in a silent pledge - to sink all differences, one with the other - and extend the hand of comradeship to all in need - as he would have us do." "As brother follows brother into the great beyond - we who are left, close our ranks to carry on the RSL tradition of unselfish service - to the disabled and to the bereaved and to maintain the highest ideals of citizenship."

Poppy in hand. Speaker says The Ode:

"They shall not grow old
as we that are left grow old,
age shall not weary them
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning,
we will remember them."

All present repeat:

"We will remember them."

Speaker says:

"Through dust of conflict and through the battle flame, tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved, your memory hallowed in the land you loved."

followed by (Speaker holds up poppy):

"The service of the day is over, and the hour has come for rest. This blood-red poppy - the traditional emblem of sacrifice - the symbol of life given for one's country - links us with it is a token of our affectionate and proud remembrance. We place it here - in abiding memory."

The Speaker drops his poppy on the casket and motions ex-service personnel to file past the grave or bowl, each to drop a poppy.

The Speaker says: "I ask you to join me, reverently, in a silent tribute to ........"

Members stand at attention with heads bowed.

The silence is broken by the Last Post. Last Post played, then Reveille or Rouse.

Speaker says:

"Lest We Forget".

Repeated by all present.

March off. Salute on March - hat held over left breast. Standing at attention - with head bowed.

RSL BURIAL - RITUAL II
Procedure as for Ritual I

After the Church Service, the RSL representative taking the Minister's place, says (address may be altered to suit circumstances):

"We meet to pay our tribute to one who served with us in defence of the Nation. His ex-service friends will know how well he served, while many will have shared his community responsibility through our association (in the RSL)."

Poppy in hand, Speaker says:

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."

All present repeat:

"We will remember them."

Speaker says:

"As a token of affection and proud remembrance, I place here the red poppy - the symbol of sacrifice - and I invite all ex-service men and women to join me in so doing."

Speaker invites ex-servicemen and women to file past the grave or bowl, each to drop a poppy.

"As a conclusion to the RSL service, I invite all to join me in a silent tribute to our comrade."

Members stand at attention with heads bowed. the silence is broken by the 'Last Post' followed by 'Reveille' or 'Rouse'.

Speaker says:

"Lest We Forget"

Repeated by all present.

Salute on march - hat held over left breast. Standing at attention - with head bowed.