Repatriation Ceremonies
by Paul Mellor, RAF Chaplain S
ome people simply don’t want to think about the possibility that they and their loved ones may be killed on operations. If
you are one of them, simply miss this article out. If you wish to be reassured that appropriate and sensitive procedures are in place to support family members during such a traumatic time, read on, as you may find Padre Mellor’s article of comfort.
One of the regular duties of RAF Lyneham, has been hosting Repatriation Ceremonies for members of the armed services killed overseas. When a member of the armed forces loses their life on operations, a great deal of care and effort is expended to bring them back to this country with the respect and dignity they deserve.
The process begins with a simple but moving ceremony at the airhead in theatre, where colleagues gather together to pay their respects to a fallen friend. This is a significant and poignant moment for the service community. Two RAF Warrant Officers travel out from the UK to accompany the body back to the UK and to ensure that at every stage due dignity is maintained.
There then follows a ceremony at RAF Lyneham as the deceased arrive back in the UK. For the family, this is a significant and highly emotional moment when their loved one is welcomed back to British soil. It provides an important focus in the difficult and sometimes long period between receiving the news of the death and the day of the funeral.
Station personnel including one of the Lyneham chaplains visit the family in a
30 Autumn 2008
local hotel the night before the ceremony. Here they are able to explain what can be expected the following day, and to give the family an opportunity to ask questions. It also means that when they arrive on Station there are familiar faces to greet them.
The family, escorted by a Visiting Officer, are brought to Lyneham before the C-17 transport aircraft lands. The VIP lounge in the passenger terminal is given over for their use, and a number of station personnel are involved in making the process as smooth and as comfortable as possible. At least one of the Lyneham chaplains is present throughout, in addition to a senior chaplain, such as an Assistant Chaplain-General, representing the service of the deceased.
The role of the chaplains is to offer pastoral care to those who are going through an extremely painful ordeal; they also offer support for the station personnel, who can be faced with a highly emotional atmosphere.
The family are invited outside to watch as the aircraft makes a fly past before landing. This can often be a moment of relief as their loved one is now home. However, for others it can be traumatic as it is the moment of realisation that the situation they are facing is real and that their loved one has died.
The ceremony is succinct and is performed with tremendous dignity. It accords great significance to the life and sacrifice of the fallen. Whilst it is acutely painful for the family, it can also be an important step on the long journey of grief. Following the ceremony the family members are given an opportunity to
spend some time with their loved one in the station chapel of rest. This gives an opportunity for individuals to express their grief in a private manner and concludes repatriation ceremony.
The fact that the ceremony is brief and simple belies the amount of planning and meticulous preparation that goes into each and every repatriation.
For many of the staff involved repatriation ceremonies have been a twice-weekly event on occasions. In addition to the amount of time invested in making each ceremony work, being in the presence of such emotional intensity can be a draining experience. To help the team understand and cope better with these demands the team meet together twice a year at Amport House in Hampshire for a time of reflection and refreshment.
The local community have also felt the impact of these special duties. This is shown not least in the way that Wootton Bassett pay their respects to each of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. There the high street comes to a stand still, the church bell tolls, salutes are made and compliments are paid as the MOD undertaker walks before the hearse from the town hall to the war memorial. This is yet another signal of recognition for the sacrifices those in the armed forces make and the ongoing support for their families in the worst of circumstances.
As chaplains it a humbling to be allowed to enter in to these most difficult of days in peoples lives. We endeavour along with all who are involved in the repatriation process to treat each of those bereaved as lovingly as though they were our parent, spouse or child.
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk
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