How to Host an Anzac Day Flag Lowering Ceremony

The traditional Anzac Day ceremony is a dawn service held at a memorial - a reminder of the dawn landing on Gallipoli in 1915. While there is no set format, a traditional ceremony consists of a combination of speeches, hymns and prayers, plus the ceremonial lowering of the flag to half-mast.

Lower Flags to Half-Mast

Before the ceremony starts you should slowly lower all flags to half-mast. Briskly raise the flag to the top of the flag pole first before lowering to half-mast. For services held later in the day, the flag should be raised to the top and then lowered to half-mast at dawn and remain at half-mast for the ceremony. When flying the Australian national flag with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast and the Australian national flag should always be raised first and lowered last.

Introduction/Welcome (2 minutes)

The service commences with a brief introduction welcoming visitors and providing a brief reference to the significance of the day.

Catafalque Party (if applicable - 1 minute)

A calafalque party is a guard of 4 service personnel standing at attention with heads bowed over a shrine or symbolic coffin. At this point they move into position.

Hymns (optional - 2-4 minutes)

There are a variety of appropriate hymns or contemporary music available for you to set the tone for your audience.

Prayers and Readings (optional - 2-5 minutes)

Prayers are often included in traditional ceremonies and may be substituted or complemented by readings or poetry.

Commemorative Address (3-5 minutes)

It is fitting on Anzac Day to remember those we commemorate and to highlight the service and sacrifice of men and women in all conflicts.

Wreath Laying (3-5 minutes)

 A floral wreath is laid on the memorial as a mark of respect for the dead. Rosemary is the traditional symbol of Anzac Day as it grows wild on the Gallipoli Peninsula and symbolises remembrance.

The Ode (1 minute)

The Ode is the famous fourth stanza from For the Fallen, a poem by English poet, Laurence Binyon:

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grown 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.

(Audience responds) We will remember them.

The Last Post (1 minute 22 seconds)

The Last Post is played as a poignant tribute to the dead.

Minute's Silence (1 minute)

The minute's silence is a sign of respect and a time for reflection on the significance of the ceremony and those being remembered.

The Rouse or The Reveille (22 seconds)

The bugle sounds heralding the end of the minute's silence. At Dawn services the Reveille is played, and The Rouse for other ceremonies. As the bugle plays, flags are raised slowly back to the masthead. It is concluded with the MC stating: "Lest we forget", repeated by those gathered.

National Anthems (1-3 minutes)

If the New Zealand national anthem is also being played, the Australian national anthem should be played last.

Dismounting of Catafalque Party (if applicable - 1 minute)

The catafalque party solemnly leave their post.

Closing Remarks (2 minutes)

If your ceremony concludes before noon, lower your flag to half-mast again as flags are required to be flown at half-mast on Anzac Day until noon and then raised to the masthead until sunset.

More detailed resources can be found at the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.