The following is an example of an RSL Service which can be incorporated as part of the funeral service for an eligible Returned Service person.

 

 

RSL SERVICE

 

We are assembled here today to pay a last tribute to (FULL NAME) who served in the defence of this nation and has now gone to join the great army of those who fell in battle defending their homeland. How well (NAME) served during his World War Two service years in Australia and overseas would have been known to his/her colleagues. How well he/she served his/her fellow man after discharge from his/her war service will be known to hose gathered here today… his/her family, his/her friends and the members of the RSL and Ex-Service community who mourn with me his/her passing.

 

AT THIS TIME A SUMMARY OF THE PERSON'S SERVICE HISTORY IS GIVEN

 

This Australian flag is given by the Federal Government to (NAME’s) family in recognition of his/her military service from 19… to 19….

 

THE AUSTRALIAN FLAG IS PRESENTED TO THE NEXT OF KIN

 

WITH A POPPY IN HAND THE SPEAKER SAYS:

 

The Service of the day is over and the hour has come for rest. This blood red poppy is the traditional emblem  of war sacrifice, it is the symbol of a life given for one’s country – this poppy links service men and women, past and present and the family and friends here today with our late colleague NAME, and we place it on the casket in his/her abiding memory.

I would now like to invite the family, followed by Ex-Service men and women, RSL members, relatives and friends to come forward and lay a poppy in remembrance of NAME.

 

PEOPLE COME FORWARD AND PLACE A POPPY ON THE CASKET

 

Ladies and gentlemen would you please stand and join with me in a silent tribute to NAME.

They shall grow not 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.

 

EVERYONE REPEATS:  "We will remember them"

 

A MOMENTS SILENCE IS OBSERVED

 

THE RSL REPRESENTATIVE BREAKS THE SILENCE BY SAYING “Lest We Forget”

 

EVERYONE REPEATS:  “Lest We Forget”

 

THE LAST POST IS PLAYED FOLLOWED BY REVEILLE

 

Thank you ladies and gentlemen this concludes the RSL Service would you please be seated.