888-25

POLICY NUMBER 888-25

Subject: Celebration of Life/Memorial Services

Approved: Executive Meeting January 17, 2011

Amended: Policy Committee January 15 2015

The practice of 888 Wing permitting the holding of, Celebration of Life/Memorial Services, for deceased members in the 888 Wing Lounge facilities must not be considered a sacred right. All requests may be 

considered and actioned as Wing facilities and conditions permit. Requests to hold Memorial

Services/Celebration of Life in the lounge are subject to the following considerations or conditions;

• All requests will be coordinated by the Wing Manager, 

• When a request is received to hold any form of Memorial event, the Wing Manager must consider the day of the week and must ensure that there is not a prior approved event on the day being requested,

• The holding of a Memorial event is not to have precedence over any already scheduled event,

• All services provided are performed by wing volunteer members and the Wing manager must ensure that there are sufficient volunteers to perform the required task,

• Requests for Services on Thursday will not be considered,

• The Wing kitchen will not normally be available for use on a Friday or Saturday when it is in use by the wing for Pub Grub or a Special Event. Requests for these days will only be considered after it has been determined that the Memorial can be held without compromising any previously scheduled commitments. If however, there is no alternative and the Memorial Service can be completed and the Lounge cleared prior to 1600 house without the use of the kitchen, i.e. outside catered food service and there are sufficient volunteers available to carry out the setup for normal use, then and only then, at the discretion of the Wing Manage, may a Memorial Service be held in the 888 wing Lounge facility on those days.

POLICY NUMBER 888-25 - Annex A 

Subject: Memorial Service Procedures/Responsibilities

Approved: Executive Meeting February 24, 2003

Amended: Executive Meeting February 20, 2006

Amended: Executive Meeting April 23, 2007

Amended: Executive Meeting January 18, 2010

Amended: Executive Meeting January 17, 2011

Amended: Policy Committee January 15, 2015

This policy is aimed at establishing procedures and responsibilities associated with memorial services for deceased members of 888 (Stocky Edwards) Wing.

The Welfare Chairperson, upon being notified of the passing of a Wing member shall:

• Inform the Wing President, Wing Manager and the Sgt at Arms,

• Determine with the family whether a service is required, and if so notify the Padre,

• Leave a copy of the Wing Services pamphlet with the family.

The President shall:

• Ensure that if a memorial service is required that a member of the Executive will be available to greet guests at the main entrance.

The Wing Manager shall:

• Post details of the member’s passing on the memorial board;

• Inform the Publicity person so that information may be passed on to members,

• Liaise with the Family to determine the day and time that the service may be scheduled,

• Determine the expected size of the turnout and make the information available to the Wing Auxiliary and Sgt-At-Arms,

• Liaise with the Family, their desire with regard to a No Host or Hosted bar and determine an appropriate sum of money for the bar,

• Liaise with the bartender coordinator to ensure that an adequate number of bartenders are available,

• For Regular Members, the Wing will provide a RCAF Association or National Flag to the President for presentation to a surviving family member at the service. They will choose which flag prior to the service. It will be presented at the conclusion of the service.

The Sgt-At-Arms shall contact a suitable number of volunteers to carry out the following:

• Set up food tables for reception,

• Break down regular tables and set up enough chairs to accommodate the expected guests,

• Provide a Reserved seating area for family members,

• Provide a Reserved parking area for immediate family members,

• At the conclusion of the service, set up the tables again for the reception, and

• Provide crowd control and usher service if required.

The wing Auxiliary Coordinator shall:

• Obtain sufficient funds from the Wing Manager to purchase the necessary foodstuffs for the reception and provide to him the receipts for the actual cost,

• Contact the Wing Auxiliary members to prepare and serve the food at the reception,

• Ensure that the kitchen area and all dishes are cleaned and put away following the reception.

Note: This pertains only to survivors of a deceased regular member who served or was serving at the time of death, in the Armed Forces and usually only when a memorial service is held in 888 Wing.