Remembrance weekend: Free rail travel for bereaved
families
Defence and the Department for Transport have
extended free rail travel across Britain over Remembrance weekend, for families
of Armed Forces personnel who died while serving.
For the first time, one close family member of someone who died in
Service can travel for free on National Rail services. This applies to journeys
to Remembrance events between 7 and 8 November 2026.
The family member could be a spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling, who is registered as the nominated next of kin.
This offer now matches the free travel benefits available to Service
Personnel and Veterans during Remembrance weekend.
Recognising bereaved families
This new offer will help
families join Remembrance services and events, including the Cenotaph, without
the cost of travel being a barrier to them attending.
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:
“Remembrance Weekend is a time
for the nation to come together to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving
our country.
“Bereaved families are at the
heart of these commemorations, and the cost of
travel should not prevent them from being there to remember
their loved ones.
“Extending free rail travel to
next of kin will help more families attend Remembrance
events, standing alongside communities, veterans and serving members of our
Armed Forces as we honour and remember those who served.”
Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin
Bailey, said:
“Remembrance is an opportunity for the
nation to come together in recognition of the service and sacrifice of our
Armed Forces. For bereaved families, this is a deeply personal time.
“We must never forget that behind every name we
remember is a family whose lives have been changed forever. Providing free rail
travel will help bereaved relatives come together and honour their loved one
without financial barriers.”
Mikki Brett is the widow of the late Chief
Petty Officer Stuart Brett who served in the Weapons Engineering branch of the
Royal Navy and died from cancer while serving, in April 2023.
Speaking with Minister for Veterans
and People, Calvin Bailey, Mikki said:
“It's
fantastic news that the in-service bereaved have been recognised for the
support given to their loved ones, with free train fares to remembrance events
this year.”
Mikki is already registered to come to
the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday and will be one of the first to benefit from
the new travel offer.
Co-CEO of Rail Delivery Group, Ola Ogun said:
"Railways have long been
connected to remembrance commemorations, recognising the importance of their
contribution during wartime. As an industry, we are proud to continue
supporting this important national occasion by offering free travel to serving
personnel and veterans.
“This year, we are especially
pleased to extend that support to one next of kin of those who died while
serving in the Armed Forces recognising not only the sacrifice of those
who served, but also the families who continue to carry their legacy and honour
their memory.”
Reaching bereaved
families
Defence is working directly with organisations that bereaved families
already know and trust. This will help make sure the new travel offer reaches
the right people.
These groups include the Defence Bereaved Families Group, War Widows'
Association, SSAFA, Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS), Royal British
Legion, Family Federations and HIVEs. We are sharing the news, along with
guidance on who can apply and how.
A joint press release from Defence and the Department for Transport also went out to national
media over the weekend.
What you need to know
You may hear questions about this new travel offer from colleagues,
families, or the public.
Here’s the main points to cover:
·
Eligible
families have until 16 October to apply.
·
The
nominated ‘Next of kin’ (NOK) listed on JPA is eligible to register for a
ticket.
·
Families
should go to the DMWS: Empowering
Bereaved Military Families webpage for full details and FAQs.
·
All National Rail train operators are taking
part – Transport for London, the Elizabeth Line and services in Northern
Ireland are not included.
·
For those travelling to London: the outward
journey can be on Saturday or Remembrance Sunday. The return journey must be on
Remembrance Sunday.
·
For those attending a Service of Remembrance
outside London: both journeys must be on Remembrance Sunday.
- If a
family member asks you for bereavement support, point them to the Defence Bereaved Families Group or one of the support organisations listed above.
Armed Forces Covenant in action
This new travel offer shows the Armed Forces Covenant in action.
The Covenant is the nation's promise to treat
the Armed Forces community fairly, and to give extra support for those who have
given the most. This includes families of those who died in service.
That promise is now being written into law by the
government. For the first time, every government
department, and devolved governments, must think about the Armed Forces
community when making policy and providing public services.
Find out more
Guidance and the registration form are available on the DMWS: Empowering
Bereaved Military Families
page.