The coffin will now be removed by the bearers and carried feet-end foremost, and placed on the right of the grave. The flag, head-dress and side-arms will then be removed and the coffin lowered.
The mourners will file round the grave, halt and turn inwards without word of command.
The firing party will follow the mourners, the serjeant giving the command ATTENTION. REVERSE—ARMS. RANKS, RIGHT AND LEFT—TURN. SLOW—MARCH. And on arriving near the grave HALT. LEFT—TURN. REST ON YOUR ARMS—REVERSED. STAND AT EASE.
When the service commences the head-dress will be removed (except firing party) and replaced when the service is ended, previous to the volleys being fired.
At the end of the service the serjeant will give:—Firing party ATTENTION. PRESENT—ARMS. SLOPE—ARMS. VOLLEYS (with blank cartridges)—LOAD. PRESENT. FIRE. A second and third volley will be fired. The serjeant will then give UNLOAD. FIX—BAYONETS. SLOPE—ARMS. PRESENT—ARMS. SLOPE—ARMS. FORM—FOURS. RIGHT. QUICK—MARCH.
The band will lead, followed by the firing party and mourners, who will form fours as they march off without word of command.
Bayonets will be unfixed after leaving the place of burial at the discretion of the officer in charge. The band is not to play, nor the drums to beat, until the party is entirely clear of the burial ground.
2. Funerals of officers, warrant officers and serjeants will be conducted in a similar manner to para. 1, the troops being detailed for the escort according to the rank of the deceased. Officers’ swords are reversed under the right arm, the point downwards, the hilt being grasped with the right hand, blade uppermost, the left hand grasping the blade behind the back.
3. Large escorts will march by companies, in fours, at the head of the procession.
4. In the funerals of senior officers the arrangements will be made under the supervision of the general officer commanding.