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The custom of covering the coffin with a flag Persons attending a funeral should be dressed
probably originated on the battlefield where in good taste so as to show dignity and
caskets were not available and the flag, respect for the family and the occasion.
wrapped around the dead serviceman, served
as a makeshift pall in which he could be RESTING ON ARMS REVERSED
buried.
One of the most noticeable features of
TRANSPORTING THE DECEASED military funerals is the custom of reversing
the order of things from what they normally
When the casket is transported in a hearse or are. This custom is believed to have originated
gun-carriage, the feet of the deceased faces from the Greeks in ancient times. The
the direction of movement, for most religions ceremony of reversing arms is recorded as
except the Islamic faith (the head faces the being done for the first time in 1722 when it
direction of movement). The Landrover in was carried out at the funeral of the Duke of
use will be termed as “Funeral Landrover” Marlborough. It signifies that a soldier has
departed and that killing is a shame.
MOURNING ARMBAND
Therefore, the means of killing being also put
to shame; the barrel of the rifle is reversed in
All ranks, when attending service funerals acknowledgement.
and/or associated memorial service or when
ordered during State mourning, will wear a In the SAF, the “Resting on Arms Reversed”
black armband as a mark of respect to the is executed during a funeral service or ‘last
deceased soldier or statesman. This black rites’.
armband should be 8 cm wide and made of
black cloth. It is worn on the left sleeve of GUN CARRIAGE
all uniform dress except Mess Kit and PT
Kit. The custom of using a caisson to carry a
coffin most likely had its origins traced to the
VIGIL GUARDS 1800s when horse-drawn caissons pull
artillery pieces that double up as a
The Vigil Guards are mounted, surrounding conveyance to clear fallen soldiers from the
the catafalque on the occasion for the battlefield. In the SAF, the artillery gun-
distinguished personage whom has been carriage is normally used to carry the casket
honoured a Laying in State. and towed by a landrover specially prepared
for this occasion.
Each vigil party consists of four sentries and
a commander with a waiting member ready MILITARY BAND
to replace any sentry who may become ill or
unfit to complete the vigil. Should a sentry When a band is provided for a Military
feel unfit to complete his vigil, he is to lift his funeral, the drums are to be muffled. If the
head and on this the commander is to band is not available then a bugler is to be
immediately call forward the waiting provided for the sounding of last post. The
member to replace him. Band will play the tune “Dead March” (about
40 beats per minute) once the Coffin Bearer
CUSTOMS REGARDING DRESS Party starts marching and cease playing when
the coffin is lowered onto the bier next to the
