Im curious about something, so I turn to the fountain of Knowledge that is the Bunker !
anyone assist?
A relation of mine was buried yesterday (he was about 90) anyway he was ex services but non of his siblings knew exactly what he did, anyway some guys turned up at the funeral, draped the union jack over the coffin, asked 10 of the closest relatives to drink a glass of port. then as the coffin was being lowered a bugler played the last post.
(by the way im getting all this from my 85 year old mum)

It seems like no one was expecting these chaps they just apparently showed up??

anyone know if its some kind of services tradition ?

Sounds like a naval tradition, I've been to a few funerals in the last couple of years where a Union flag has been draped over the coffin and a group of 'Pals' (ex-servicemen) have sung a rendition of a well known military song.

Do you know the bishop of Norwich?

Passing port is a naval tradition.

Sounds like a very old military tradition to me. I have had the honour of playing the last post at both RAF and Army funerals and there has been a flag on the coffin. Port is consumed at both RAF and Army mess nights but I think the RN tend to have rum.