Remembrance Day 2023: Order of service from Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday and how to attend

The National Service of Remembrance will be held at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Sunday (November 12).

The ceremony commemorates the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women involved in the two world wars and later conflicts.

It will begin at 11am with a two-minute silence, marked by the firing of guns from King’s Troop on Horse Guards Parade.

From 8am Whitehall will open to the public, and attendees should allow time to clear the police security procedures. No tickets are needed. Capacity is limited but big screens will show proceedings.

Detachments will form up at 10.30am and the service will end at 11.25pm.

2023 Remembrance Sunday commemorations: order of service

Silence

At 11am, silence will begin at the first stroke of Big Ben.

The official suggested subjects for thought and prayer during the Silence are:

We remember those who made the great sacrifice during the two World Wars;

We remember those who have given their lives in the service of their country in other conflicts;

We pray for those who suffer at this time;

We pray for those who have been bereaved;

We pray for peace;

We pray that we may be worthy of the sacrifice made on our behalf.

The end of the Silence will be marked by The Last Post. Wreaths will be laid on the Cenotaph.

Lord Bishop of London

The Lord Bishop of London will offer the following prayer:

O Almighty God, grant, we beseech thee,

that we who here do honour to the memory of those

who have died in the service of their country and

of the Crown, may be so inspired by the spirit of

their love and fortitude that,

forgetting all selfish and unworthy motives,

we may live only to thy glory and to the service of mankind

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Bands of the Guards Division

The following hymn will be sung, accompanied by the Bands of the Guards Division. All present are requested to join in the singing:

O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast,

And our eternal home.

Beneath the shadow of thy throne

Thy saints have dwelt secure;

Sufficient is thine arm alone,

And our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,

Or earth received her frame,

From everlasting thou art God,

To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight

Are like an evening gone;

Short as the watch that ends the night

Before the rising sun.

O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Be thou our guard while troubles last,

And our eternal home.

Prayer

The Lord Bishop of London will offer the following prayer:

Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest;

to give and not to count the cost;

to fight and not to heed the wounds;

to toil and not to seek for rest;

to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of

knowing that we do thy will;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

All present are requested to say The Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father

Which art in heaven

Hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come

Thy will be done

In earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our trespasses

As we forgive them that trespass against us

And lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom

The power and the glory

For ever and ever.

Amen

Blessing

The Lord Bishop of London will then give The Blessing:

Unto God’s gracious mercy and protection we commit you

The Lord bless you and keep you

The Lord make his face to shine upon you

And be gracious unto you

The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you

And give you his peace this day and always.

Amen