Plan a Remembrance Day Ceremony

Find everything you need to organize a Remembrance Day Ceremony for youth.

Bring the act of Remembrance to your school


    This resource is designed to support educators in engaging youth in the act of Remembrance. Schools are also encouraged to reach out to their local Legion Branch for ceremony supports and information on youth programs.

 
 

Ceremony at your fingertips

 
Download everything you need to host a ceremony at your school. This slideshow, with accompanying MC speaker notes, offers a ready-to-play Remembrance Day Ceremony with the fundamental elements for youth.

Remembrance Day Ceremony Slideshow

    Download this customizable, ready-to-play slideshow to host a Remembrance Day Ceremony at your school.

Download PPT (400 MB) 

Master of Ceremony Speaker Notes

    Download the MC notes for your presenter to use as a guide for leading your Remembrance Day Ceremony

Download MC notes

Customize your Ceremony

The Royal Canadian Legion strives to make Remembrance accessible to all Canadians. As an alternative to the ready-to-play ceremony slideshow option, you may add additional elements to the prepared slideshow, or organize a ceremony in another format using the audio/video or audio-only links on this page.

The fundamental elements offer a shortened commemoration suitable for younger audiences. Additional elements can be added to follow the traditional Order of Service.

 

Remembrance Day Ceremony Order of Service
 

• Land Acknowledgment
• Opening remarks
• National Anthem "O Canada"
• Last Post
• (11:00 am) Two Minutes of Silence
• Lament
• Rouse
• Act of Remembrance / Commitment to Remember
• Prayers
• Placing of Wreaths
• Benediction / Guest Speakers
• Royal Anthem "God Save the King"

 
 

Fundamental Ceremony Elements

O Canada

 

National Anthem “O Canada”

Singing the national anthem brings us together to share our pride and gratitude for the country we live in.

Video and Audio >
Download audio only >

Last Post

 

Last Post

The Last Post is a bugle call that calls us into Remembrance for the Two Minutes of Silence. Historically, the Last Post told soldiers in camp that falling asleep was safe. Today, it call us into remembrance to honour those who had died in service.  

Video and Audio >
Download audio only >

Two Minutes of Silence

 

Two Minutes of Silence

The Two Minutes of Silence is a powerful and solemn moment within the Remembrance ceremony. At the stroke of eleven, Canadians across the country collectively pause for two minutes to honour and remember the Fallen.

Rouse

 

Rouse

After the Two Minutes of Silence, a bugler plays the Rouse. The Rouse was originally used to wake soldiers, but in the Remembrance Day Ceremony, it symbolically wakes the Fallen and guides them to rest in peace.

Video and Audio >
Download audio only >

Act of Remembrance

 

Act of Remembrance

The Act of Remembrance is an excerpt from Laurence Binyon's poem “For the Fallen.” It reminds us of the importance of Remembrance Day. Invite a Veteran or student to recite the Act of Remembrance, with all participating in the response.

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.

All respond: We will remember them.

Commitment to Remember

 

Commitment to Remember

The Commitment to Remember promises to continue honouring those who came before us and fought for our freedoms. It is customarily recited by a young person, with all participating in the response.

They were young, as we are young.
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.

All respond: We will remember them.

 

Additional Remembrance Ceremony Elements

Land Acknowledgement

 

Land Acknowledgement

An Indigenous territorial acknowledgement helps us recognize the contributions that Indigenous peoples, including Veterans, have made to Canada. The CAUT Guide to Acknowledging First Peoples & Traditional Territory provides acknowledgements for each of the provinces.

View Guide >
Lament

 

Lament

The Lament is an old song called “Flowers of the Forest,” which a lone piper usually plays. It expresses the grief felt for those who sacrificed their lives in military service.

Video and Audio >
Download audio only >

Prayer/Benediction

 

Prayer/Benediction

Depending on your school or community's faith, you may choose to include a prayer, blessing, or sacred tradition.

Youth Remembrance Resources

 

Place a Wreath

Wreaths can be placed on behalf of classes or groups to acknowledge their participation in Remembrance. The placing of a wreath is often accompanied by music, such as In Flanders Fields.

Listen to or watch In Flanders Fields

Video and Audio >


Guest Speaker

 

Guest Speakers

Invite a Veteran to speak at your ceremony. Your Legion Branch can help
Contact your local Branch >

Other Guest Speakers Programs
Learn More >

Invite a student to recite words of Remembrance. They may write their own, or select a literary piece from recent winners of the Legion National Foundation’s National Youth Remembrance Contests.

Royal Anthem

 

Royal Anthem “God Save the King”

The Royal Anthem, God Save The King, is played at the conclusion of the ceremony as it was often used during the First World War and reminds us of the sacrifice to Crown and country. 

Download audio only >

Remembrance Activities for Youth

     
    Visit these sites for more Remembrance learning activities and resources
Make a Poppy

Make a Poppy

Students can craft a Poppy using sheets of red and black paper, twist ties, glue, and scissors. The Poppies can then be worn during the ceremony and/or placed on a wreath.

Make a Poppy >

Make a Wreath

Make a Wreath

Students can craft a wreath using paper and glue. The wreaths can then be placed during the ceremony as part of the order of service.

Make a Wreath >

Make a Poppy

Youth Remembrance Contests

Invite students to enter the Legion National Foundation's National Youth Remembrance Contests. Honour Canada’s Veterans and foster the tradition of Remembrance through visual art, writing, and video.

Learn more >

CAF speakers program

National Veterans’ Week Speakers Program

Connect with active members of the military to learn how members of the Canadian Armed Forces contribute to their communities and on the international stage.

Learn more >

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Veteran Affairs Canada Learning Resources

Access tools for students of all ages to learn about remembrance and recognition.

Learn more >

 
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This page was created and is maintained in partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces National Veterans’ Week Speakers Program
 

Reach out to your local Legion Branch for additional Remembrance Day supports.

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