State Funeral, Committal Service, Mourning and Condolence arrangements

This updated post includes links to information on the State Funeral, the Committal Service, and to the Mourning and Condolence arrangements. The plans for Monday 19 September were reviewed in Events on day of the State Funeral; much of this earlier guidance is unchanged, and links to this more recent information are listed below.


Government Guidance

Ceremonial and events guidance following the death of Her Majesty The Queen (18 September 2022) indicates that following the schedule for London will be:

  • 06:30: Lying-in-State will officially close.
  • 11:00 The state funeral for Her Majesty The Queen will commence. At the close of the service the last post will sound and national silence will be marked. Following the service the Coffin will be processed to Wellington Arch, where the Royal hearse will then depart for Windsor.
  • 16:00  The service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, will begin.
  • 19:30:  Private burial, King VI Memorial Chapel.

Events elsewhere in the UK are also listed.

Other information

There will be a two-minute silence at the end of the State Funeral service on Monday, 19 September at approximately 11:55am. This will be observed in all UK government buildings. Devolved administrations will issue instructions in their estates and others as necessary.

Local authorities, businesses, organizations and individuals “may choose to join us in observing this silence”. They were also encouraged to join in the National Moment of Reflection on the at 8:00pm on Sunday 18 September.

Information on the State Funeral has now been posted by Westminster Abbey.


Royal Family

The State Funeral for Her Majesty The Queen. Details of the State Funeral (19 September 2022). These included:

  • Procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey;
  • The State Funeral Service, including the Order of Service;
  • The Procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch;
  • Procession from Albert Hall, Windsor to St George’s Chapel;
  • The Committal Service, including the Order of Service.

Prior to the final Hymn of the Committal Service, the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre were removed from Her Majesty The Queen’s Coffin, and placed on the Altar. At the end of the final Hymn, The King placed The Queen’s Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on Her Majesty’s Coffin. At the same time, The Lord Chamberlain “broke” his Wand of Office and placed it on the Coffin.

As The Queen’s Coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault, the Dean of Windsor said a Psalm and the Commendation before Garter King of Arms pronounced Her Majesty’s styles and titles. The Sovereign’s Piper played a Lament and The Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced the Blessing. The National Anthem was sung at the conclusion of the Service.

A Private Burial took place in The King George VI Memorial Chapel later that evening, conducted by the Dean of Windsor. The Queen was buried together with The Duke of Edinburgh, at The King George VI Memorial Chapel.

[The locations of former Royal Burials in St George’s Chapel are listed here]

Mourning and Condolence arrangements at the Royal Residences Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, it is His Majesty The King’s wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral. Royal Mourning will be observed by Members of the Royal Family, Royal Household staff and Representatives of the Royal Household on official duties, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties.

There are no physical Books of Condolence at the Royal Residences. An online Book of Condolence for those who wish to leave messages is available on the Royal website.

[Flags at royal residences will remain at half-mast until 08:00 BST on 27 September – the day after their mourning period ends.]


UK Parliament

The UK Parliament returns on Wednesday 21 September 2022. The House will sit at 10.00am, giving MPs the opportunity to take the oath or make the affirmation to the new Monarch, should they wish to do so. On Thursday the Commons will consider a range of procedural motions relating to the forthcoming recess and sittings of the House. This is likely to include a motion proposing that the House return from the conference recess on Tuesday 11 October. On Friday 23rd September, subject to the agreement of the House of Commons, the Chancellor will unveil the Growth Plan to Parliament.

Updated: 20 September 2022 at 20:19. 

Cite this article as: David Pocklington, "State Funeral, Committal Service, Mourning and Condolence arrangements" in Law & Religion UK, 19 September 2022, https://lawandreligionuk.com/2022/09/19/state-funeral-and-committal-service/

 

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