Standard Bearer Protocol at a UK Military Funeral

What a Standard Bearer Does at a Military Funeral

A standard bearer carries the branch or association Standard — a heavy silk or nylon colour mounted on a pole with a brass or chrome spearhead — and performs a sequence of precise ceremonial movements that honour the deceased's service. This is not a decorative role. The bearer leads the coffin procession into the venue, stands abreast of the coffin throughout the service, and performs the dip (lowering the Standard to a near-horizontal position) during the Last Post and the silence that follows. On the first note of Reveille or the Rouse, they return the Standard sharply to the upright carry position.

Standard bearers are volunteers, almost always sourced through the Royal British Legion (RBL), the Royal Naval Association (RNA), or the RAF Association (RAFA). They attend in their own time, usually wearing a dark blazer with association badge, beret, and white cotton gloves.

How to Request a Standard Bearer

Contact the deceased's local RBL branch first, as early as possible. Branch secretaries coordinate their own bearer rosters, and weekend funerals or peak periods (around Remembrance) can stretch availability.

When you call, have three things ready: the deceased's service branch and regiment or unit, the funeral date and time, and the venue name and address. The branch secretary will confirm whether a trained bearer is available and will typically attend a rehearsal at the venue the day before the service.

If the deceased served in the Royal Navy or RAF, contact the RNA or RAFA branch instead — or alongside — the RBL. If multiple standards from different associations are paraded together, agree the order and lead position with the associations and officiant in advance.

Standard bearers are volunteers, so ask the branch about any local arrangements or expenses. Families often make a voluntary donation to the branch afterwards as a mark of thanks.

Crematorium Procedure

Crematoria impose tight time slots, so the bearer's movements must be precise. The standard protocol at a crematorium works like this:

1. Before the service: the standard bearer stands six paces from the chapel entrance in the carry position, Standard upright, facing the direction the hearse will arrive from.
2. Cortege arrival: as the coffin is lifted from the hearse, the bearer turns and leads the procession into the chapel at a slow, measured pace. The coffin follows feet first, carried by the bearer party.
3. During the service: the bearer stands to one side of the coffin, Standard in the carry position, throughout the readings, hymns, and eulogy.
4. The Last Post: on the first note, the bearer dips the Standard — lowering it smoothly until the pole is near horizontal, spearhead pointing toward the coffin. They hold this position through the silence.
5. Reveille (or the Rouse): on the first note, the Standard snaps back to the carry position.
6. Curtain close / committal: as the curtains close around the coffin, the bearer dips the Standard one final time, then recovers and leads the congregation out of the chapel.

At a burial, the bearer stands at the graveside during the committal. Agree the Standard's position and dip timing with the officiant and association.

The Mourning Drape

Every standard bearer attaches a black mourning drape — a strip of black fabric roughly 153 cm long and 15 cm wide — tied in a bow just below the spearhead of the pole. This is fitted before arrival and removed after the service. The drape signals that the Standard is being paraded in mourning, distinguishing a funeral from a parade or civic event.

When Multiple Standards Are Present

At funerals with strong regimental or multi-service connections, two or three standard bearers may attend. They process in single file, with the order and dip timing agreed in advance. During the service they stand in a line, spaced evenly.

Coordinate this with the funeral director and the officiating minister beforehand. Not every chapel has space for three bearers standing alongside a coffin, and cramped positioning undermines the dignity of the ceremony.

For families planning a service with military honours, the Military Funeral — UK guide includes a printable ceremony cue sheet that maps every movement — bearer positioning, dip timing, procession order — against the venue layout and the order of service.