The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen
Published
The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19th September 2022 at 1100hrs.
The Service will pay tribute to The Queen’s remarkable reign and lifetime of service as Head of State, Nation and Commonwealth.
The State Funeral will be led by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, and the Sermon will be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby. The Choirs of Westminster Abbey and His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, under the direction of James O’Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers of Westminster Abbey will sing.
Before the Service, the Abbey’s Tenor Bell will be tolled once a minute for 96 minutes, one toll for each year of The Queen’s life. Holders of The George Cross, Victoria Cross, and Representatives of the Orders of Chivalry will Process through the Abbey before the Service.
A Procession of representatives from faith communities across the United Kingdom, as well as representatives from the Churches of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England, will Process ahead of the Service. Also present will be the Sub-Dean of the Chapels Royal and the Dean of Windsor.
At the start of the Service, as The Queen’s Coffin is carried into the Abbey, the Sentences will be sung by The Choir of Westminster Abbey from the Nave. The five Sentences, which are lines of scripture set to music, have been used at every State Funeral since the early part of the 18th century.
The Choir of Westminster Abbey will be joined by the Choir of the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, for the final two Sentences. The Dean of Westminster will give The Bidding, before the first hymn. The Right Honourable Baroness Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, will read the first Lesson.
A specially commissioned choral piece, composed by the Master of The King’s Music, Judith Weir, ‘Like as the hart’, will be sung by the Choir. The piece, inspired by Her Majesty’s unwavering Christian faith, is a setting of Psalm 42 to music and will be sung unaccompanied.
The Second Lesson, read by the Right Honourable Elizabeth Truss MP, Prime Minister, will be followed by the hymn, ‘The Lord’s my shepherd’. The hymn was also sung at the wedding of the then Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, in 1947. Following the Sermon, the Choir will sing the Anthem, ‘My soul, there is a country’, set by Hubert Parry; an Anthem of great hope.
Prayers will be said from the High Altar, before the Choir sings a short anthem, ‘O Taste and see how gracious the Lord is’, which was composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams for The Queen’s Coronation in 1953. The Archbishop of Canterbury will give the Commendation.
The Dean of Westminster will pronounce the Blessing. The Last Post will be sounded by the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry from the steps of the Lady Chapel. Two minutes’ silence will then be observed across the United Kingdom. The Reveille will be sounded by the State Trumpeters, before the Congregation sings the National Anthem, ‘God Save The King’.
At the conclusion of the State Funeral, The Sovereign’s Piper of the Royal Regiment of Scotland will play the traditional Lament, ‘Sleep, dearie, sleep’.
The Queen’s Coffin will be borne in Procession out of Westminster Abbey, returning to the Gun Carriage for the Procession to Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, before travelling to Windsor for the Committal Service in St George’s Chapel.
Afterwards, the bells of Westminster Abbey will be rung, fully muffled, as is the tradition following the Funeral of the Sovereign.
Related content
Her Majesty The Queen's Address at the Opening Ceremony of the Sixth Session of the Scottish Parliament
Presiding Officer, First Minister, Members of the Scottish Parliament, it is a pleasure to be invited to address you on this special occasion. I would like to begin by...
A message from The Queen to the President and people of Barbados
The people of Barbados have held a special place in my heart.
The Queen's message to the Opening Session of the 11th General Synod
The Gospel has brought hope, as it has done throughout the ages; and the Church has adapted and continued its ministry, often in new ways - such as digital forms of worship.
Champion Trees at Buckingham Palace
The Queen’s speech at the COP26 Evening Reception
A speech by Her Majesty The Queen delivered via video message to the COP26 Evening Reception.
The Queen's speech at the opening of the sixth session of the Senedd in Cardiff
There are many challenges ahead as you work together to promote the well-being of the people of Wales, and support the recovery effort.
The Queen's message to the Institution of Engineering and Technology to mark their 150th anniversary
This anniversary provides an opportunity to thank and recognise the dedication and hard work of all those working in engineering and technology who, every day, make a...
The Queen's address at the Opening Ceremony of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament
I have spoken before of my deep and abiding affection for this wonderful country, and of the many happy memories Prince Philip and I always held of our time here.
The Queen's message to mark Canada's first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
I join with all Canadians on this first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Announcement of the birth of Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi's baby
20 September 2021The Queen's message to Emma Raducanu following her US Open win
It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is testament to your hard work and dedication.
The Queen's message to mark the 20th anniversary of the 11th September attacks
We pay tribute to the resilience and determination of the communities who joined together to rebuild.
The Queen's message to British and Commonwealth athletes following the 2020 Paralympic Games
Your performances have lifted the nation and your triumphs been celebrated by us all.
A message of condolence from Her Majesty The Queen to the Prime Minister of Haiti
I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by the earthquake in Haiti. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their lives, loved ones...
The Princess Royal congratulates Team GB athletes and staff on their Olympic success
Everyone involved in Team GB has played a significant role in a magnificent performance
The Queen's message to TeamGB and Commonwealth athletes following the 2020 Olympic Games
The skill, determination and hard work shown by the athletes and their support teams throughout the unique and challenging circumstances of the last year has been an...
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant
The Duke of Kent reflects on his Presidency of the All England Lawn Tennis Club in an article for The Telegraph
The Queen awards the George Cross to the UK's National Health Services
Holyrood Week 2021
Financial reports 2020-21
The Royal Household today published its annual financial statement, the Sovereign Grant Report, for the financial year 2020-21.
Platinum Jubilee Emblem Competition launched
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend 2022
The Queen's Jubilees and other milestones
A history of Jubilees
A speech delivered by Prince William as Lord High Commissioner during the Opening Ceremony of the CofS
A speech delivered by Prince William in his role as Lord High Commissioner during the Opening Ceremony of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
The Queen's Green Canopy
Message to the people of Northern Ireland
Across generations, the people of Northern Ireland are choosing to build an inclusive, prosperous, and hopeful society, strengthened by the gains of the peace process.