The order of service is the program of events for a commemorative ceremony or service. You can use this order of service on Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and other important days. We do this to recognise and remember the service and sacrifice of Australia’s veterans and serving personnel.
Event plan
If you plan to host a local ceremony to honour the service of veterans, such as Anzac Day or Remembrance Day, you could follow our suggested order of service.
What you need to do
The program for an event should be tailored to your audience and your local community.
- Think about who might attend.
- Plan to include everyone.
- Choose appropriate music (hymns, traditional pieces or contemporary songs).
- Choose suitable poems or short stories.
- Choose a good speaker for the commemorative address.
- Prepare a speech.
Try to involve veterans or current-serving members from your local community. This will help to engage the audience, young and old.
Anzac Day service
Our suggested order of service will suit many commemorative events. Adapt this program to suit your needs. The service might take between 30 and 60 minutes from start to finish. We've given approximate times next to each part of the ceremony to help with planning.
Flags lowered to half-mast before the start of the service
Welcome speech and acknowledgment of the Traditional Owners (2 minutes)
Mounting of catafalque party (2 minutes) – if applicable
Hymns or other music (2 to 4 minutes)
Prayers, poems or readings (2 to 5 minutes)
Commemorative address by invited guest (3 to 5 minutes)
Wreath laying (3 to 5 minutes)
Ode of Remembrance (1 minute)
The Last Post (1 minute 22 seconds)
Period of silence (1 or 2 minutes)
Reveille (1 minute 1 second) or The Rouse (22 seconds) while raising flags
National Anthem (1 to 3 minutes)
Dismounting of catafalque party (2 minutes) – if applicable
Closing remarks (2 minutes)
Official guests depart
You can download this order of service as part of our Anzac Day Kitbag.
The flags, the Ode of Remembrance, The Last Post and the catafalque party are important symbols of commemoration.
Remembrance Day service
Welcome speech (2 minutes)
Mounting of catafalque party (2 minutes)
Hymns or other music (2 to 4 minutes)
Prayers, poems or readings (2 to 5 minutes)
Commemorative address by invited guest (3 to 5 minutes)
Wreath laying (3 to 5 minutes)
Ode of Remembrance (1 minute)
The Last Post (1 minute 22 seconds)
Period of silence from 11 am (1 or 2 minutes)
The Rouse while raising flags (1 minute)
National Anthem (1 to 3 minutes)
Dismounting of catafalque party (2 minutes)
Closing remarks (2 minutes)
Official guests depart
You can download this order of service as part of our Remembrance Day Kitbag
Protocol for flags
The Australian National Flag is the most prominent flag flown during a ceremony. Others may include flags of other host nations, the Australian Aboriginal Flag, the Torres Strait Islander Flag and a state or territory flag.
During a ceremony held in Australia, the Australian National Flag is raised or lowered at the same time as other flags. If this is not possible, then the Australian flag is raised first and lowered last.
If you’re planning a Anzac Day dawn service, the flags are:
- lowered to half-mast before the start of the service
- raised slowly to the masthead during the playing of Reveille
- lowered again to half-mast at the end of the service
- raised again to the masthead at midday.
If you’re planning an event at another time of day, the flags are:
- lowered to half-mast before the start of the service
- raised slowly to the masthead during the playing of The Rouse.
Military personnel will stand to attention and salute during the lowering and raising of flags.
Ode of Remembrance
When the Ode is recited at a commemorative service, visitors should stand, remove headwear and refrain from talking. For details, see Ode of Remembrance and other poems.
Period of silence
Traditionally, a period of 2 minutes is observed for an Anzac Day dawn service and 1 minute at other times on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day. However, the time can be adjusted to suit your audience.
Music
Reveille or The Rouse
Reveille is played only for an Anzac Day dawn service. The Rouse is played at other times on Anzac Day and also on Remembrance Day.
Anthems
When the Australian National Anthem is played in conjunction with the national anthem of a foreign country, the foreign country’s national anthem is always played first.
For details, see Music for commemorative events.