Planning your Remembrance Day commemoration

Start by considering:

  1. If there is someone you would like to commemorate with. Remember to follow the latest health advice and guidelines in your state or territory. 
  2. What music will you play during your commemoration? This can be hymns, traditional pieces or appropriate contemporary songs. For suggestions, visit the music to play page on our Anzac Portal website or take a look at our Remembrance Day Spotify playlist.
  3. Is there a poem, prayer or short story to read? For suggestions, visit the Ode of Remembrance and other poems page.
  4. Will there be a commemorative address? Visit the speeches for commemorations page for ideas and sample speeches.

All of these points will help you with planning your commemorative event. A service may take up to 20 minutes from start to finish, or longer if you wish. Below we have included a suggested Order of Service with timings:

  • Welcome (2 minutes)
  • Hymns or other music (2 to 4 minutes)
  • Prayers and readings (2 to 5 minutes)
  • Commemorative address (3 to 5 minutes)
  • Wreath laying (3 to 5 minutes)
  • Ode of Remembrance (1 minute)
  • The Last Post (1 minute 22 seconds)
  • 1 minute's silence at precisely 11am for Remembrance Day (1 minute)
  • The Rouse (22 seconds) – plays while flags are slowly raised to the masthead
  • National Anthem (1 to 3 minutes) – play anthems of all host countries if applicable
  • Closing remarks (2 minutes)

For more resources to help with your Remembrance Day commemorations, visit the Anzac Portal.


 

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