A Royal British Legion (RBL) branch can represent any of its members at theirfuneral. Those who served in the Armed Forces may also be represented by RBL at theirfuneral.
Representation can be arranged by branches after full consultation with the family and officiating clergy, or can be requested by family members using the contact details below.
We will take your details and pass them onto the Membership Engagement Officer who will work with the relevant branch to see if representation is possible.
Legion branches are made up of volunteers and we are therefore unable to guarantee that Legion members, or a Standard Bearer, will be available on short notice in all cases.
It is strongly recommended that you additionally contact the appropriate Royal Navy, Army (Regimental/Corps), or Royal Air Force association should you wish for them to be present at afuneral, or enquire about a militaryfuneral.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Legion branches are made up of volunteers and we are therefore unable to guarantee that Legion members, or a Standard Bearer, will be available on short notice in all cases.
It is strongly recommended that you additionally contact the appropriate Royal Navy, Army (Regimental/Corps), or Royal Air Force association should you wish for them to be present at a funeral, or enquire about a military funeral.
Who organises the funeral of the deceased died in service?
Currently serving personnel are entitled to militaryfuneralpaid for by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The Joint Casualty Care and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the MoD War Detectives, identifies the remains of those killed in historic campaigns dating back to the Great War. The JCCC will arrange a military funeral/service of dedication and reception whilst liaising with the casualties’ families.
How is the Royal British Legion represented at funerals?
If relatives wish, arrangements should be made when possible for the branch to be represented at the funeral of any of its members. It is important that the clergy and funeral directors are also informed.
If the Royal British Legion Legion is represented, the Board of Trustees recommend following the funeral procedures outlined in this guide. However, because of local conditions and circumstances, it may be appropriate to make amendments.
The family's wishes, together with the solemnity and dignity of the occasion, are paramount.
Funeral Etiquette for Standards and Standard Bearers
All members of the Royal British Legion and ex-Service personnel can have the Standard paraded at their funeral.
It is customary for the Branch Standard, and for that of the Women's Section Branch (if there is one), to form part of the procession. This can be both into, and from, the church, chapel or other sacred building.
- The Standard should precede the coffin in the procession. If space permits, it should stand abreast of it during the service. The same procedure should be followed at the place of burial. As the coffin gets lowered into the grave the Standard should dip as an act of homage.
- When the Standard gets carried at a cremation, the same procedure applies if the building permits space, and should be adopted as at a burial. Or, the Standard Bearer should stand six paces inside the entrance to the crematorium, facing the coffin. The Standard should dip as an act of homage as the curtains get closed, removing the coffin from view.
- When Standards get draped at funerals or memorial services, the mourning drape (153cm x 15cm) should get tied in a bow. This should be just below the spike on the head of the pole. Drapes cannot be carried on any other occasion without the permission of the senior formation taking part.
Order of events of Members' funerals
In some parts of the country there is a practice to have the Last Post, Exhortation and Reveille with the Legion Standards present.
After the coffin has been lowered into the grave (or at a cremation - removed from view), and the officiating clergy has pronounced his committal oration, the sequence is usually:
- The Last Post (Standards dip).
- The Exhortation and Response.
- If a burial, members drop their personal poppies into the grave.
- Reveille (Standards return to the Carry on the first note).
All the above suggestions may be implemented only after full consultation with the family and officiating clergy.
Who can have the Union Flag on their coffin?
The Royal British Legion Ceremonial Handbook does not offer guidance on the general use of the Union Flag at funerals.
It is not paraded at a funeral service. However, some branches and / or funeral directors do keep a large Union Flag for use during the funerals of serving or ex-Service personnel and drape them over the coffin. When this is done, it is normal to place a wreath of poppies on top of the flag.
How should medals be displayed at funerals?
A common way to display medals at a funeral is to pin them to a suitable cushion, navy blue if possible for a sailor, and place it on the 'head' of the coffin.
The Undertaker can advise you on securing the cushion to the coffin, and on discrete removal before interment / cremation.
Can the Last Post be sounded at a member's funeral?
The general procedure of the Legion is to leave members' funerals to be dealt with on a local level in accordance with the wishes of the family, officiating clergy and local traditions.
All the suggestions may be implemented only after full consultation with the family and officiating clergy.
What is the dress code for escorts?
Escorts should be dressed as Standard Bearers. Instead of gauntlets they should wear white cotton gloves and they should not carry a sling.
Can Army cadets be escorts or Standard Bearers?
If a service takes place within the branch boundaries, cadets of affiliated units can be used as escorts or Standard Bearers at a service.
However, if cadets are non-Legion youth members, the cadet unit is responsible for their protection, as sole responsibility lies with the affiliated organisation.
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