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
National Anthem “O Canada”
Singing the national anthem brings us together to share our pride and gratitude for the country we live in.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
Prayer/Benediction
Depending on your school or community's faith, you may choose to include a prayer, blessing, or sacred tradition.
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
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 “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.
Remembrance Activities for Youth
Visit these sites for more Remembrance learning activities and resources
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 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.
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.
Read a Poem
In Flanders Fields is Canada’s most iconic poem from the First World War. Explore its history and experience it through new eyes with dozens of adaptations in Canada’s oldest and newest languages. Includes translated videos, text and audio.
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.
Veteran Affairs Canada Learning Resources
Access tools for students of all ages to learn about remembrance and recognition.
