Poppy Services ensure that those who have given so much for us are remembered and honoured respectfully with a personalised Service honouring their life and recognising their contribution and support to Australia in times of conflict and peace.
This can be carried out at your loved one’s Burial, Cremation or Memorial Services.
The RSL Ritual Segment of your loved ones Service is for its members that highlight the services of the deceased to their country. This will include your loved one’s service record being read, laying of poppies, reading of The Ode, The Last Post, one minutes silence and Reveille/Rouse.
You may wish to have the Australian flag laid on your oved one’s coffin along with their Service Medals displayed on a frame as well as other military items, such as hats, photos and awards. A bugler can also be arranged to play The Last Post and Reveille/Rouse or we can use a recording.
An RSL representative will take the formal part of the Poppy service as a last tribute to a beloved comrade who served in defence of our nation.
A Moment of Silence – A unique moment to honour the deceased in silent contemplation, reflection, meditation or prayer.
Guard of Honour – If your loved one is being carried as part of the service, you may wish to have a guard of honour. It is important that you let your Funeral Director know if this is happening so they can ensure it all goes smoothly.
When meeting with your Funeral Director they will need to gather information from you regarding the application to the ADF archive records in Canberra for your loved ones Defence Eulogy.
The following information will be required:
Full name and date of birth
Service Number
Service – Navy / Army / Air Force
Era served, eg WW2, Vietnam, Korea, National service etc.
Heartfelt Funerals staff are more than happy to discuss this further when they meet with you.
The Ode
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.
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.