Is it OK to fly a funeral flag?

Military Funeral Flag Etiquette

Typically you will want to keep the flag folded. However, it is entirely proper to display or fly the United States flag – even a burial flag! To do so, you will want to use either a flagpole to fly it properly outdoors, or display it flat on a wall.

Can you fly a U.S. burial flag?

When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the flag to a friend making request for it. For those VA national cemeteries with an Avenue of Flags, families of Veterans buried in these national cemeteries may donate the burial flags of their loved ones to be flown on patriotic holidays.

What is the difference between a burial flag and a regular flag?

Anyone who was patriotic, even if they didn't serve in the military, can be granted the same honor as the military. Burial flags are used by anyone who requests one. The only key difference is that funeral flags are provided for free by one's branch of service and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

What are 3 things one should never do out of respect to the flag?

Other Things Not to Do with the Flag

let the flag touch anything beneath it: ground, floor, water, merchandise. carry it horizontally, but always aloft. fasten or display it in a way that will permit it to be damaged or soiled. place anything on the flag, including letters, insignia, or designs of any kind.

Can you display a casket flag?

The proper way to display the flag depends upon whether the casket is open or closed. VA Form 27-2008 provides the correct method for displaying and folding the flag. The burial flag is not suitable for outside display because of its size and fabric. It is made of cotton and can easily be damaged by weather.

Why Do We Fly Flags At Half-Staff? | Answers With Joe

How do you display a funeral flag?

Closed casket: the flag should be draped on the casket so that the union (the blue field) is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. Half couch (open): the flag should be placed in three layers so the blue field will be the top fold next to the open portion of the casket on the deceased's left.

What do you do with old funeral flags?

All you'll need to dispose of a flag this way is a sharp pair of scissors, which you will use to carefully separate the flag's 13 stripes (the blue, “star-spangled” section should be left intact). Once properly shredded, the pieces can either be buried in a respectful manner or ceremonially burned, piece by piece.

What is considered disrespectful to a flag?

The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.

Should I take my flag down when it rains?

The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, with the exception of an all-weather (nylon or other non-absorbent material) flag. However, most flags are made of all-weather materials.

What are the rules for flying a flag at home?

Should you chose to display a flag in your home against a wall follow these rules. First, it needs to lie flat against the wall. Next, whether hung vertically or horizontally, the union must be in the uppermost and to the flag's own right corner. Which means, it is to the observer's left.

What do you say when presenting a flag at a funeral?

Lean toward the flag recipient and solemnly present the flag to the recipient. “On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Coast Guard, and a grateful Nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service.”

Is it OK to display a folded flag?

When Should You Display a Folded Flag? While you can display your folded flag on a mantel or shelf in your home year-round, some people choose to display it on special occasions reserved for honoring our country and veterans.

Who is entitled to have an American flag on their casket?

Can his coffin be wrapped in a flag? It is appropriate for any patriotic person to make and be granted the same honor as military to have a flag drape the coffin. Only those who served in the military, however, are provided the flag for free.

When should you not fly a flag?

Do not fly the flag in bad weather, unless it is an all-weather flag. The flag can only be flown at night if properly illuminated. Otherwise, it should only be flown from sunrise to sunset. The flag should always be allowed to fall free.

What is the only flag that can be flown above the U.S. flag?

The Christian flag may fly above the US flag only "during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy" (Flag Code, Section 7c).

Do you have to dispose of a American flag if it touches the ground?

Does the flag have to be destroyed if it touches the ground? Answer: Care should be exercised in the handling of the flag, to protect it from becoming soiled or damaged. However, you are not required to destroy the flag if it touches the ground.

Is it illegal to leave the U.S. flag in the rain?

Most flags sold nowadays are all-weather flags (refer to the packaging). These are permitted to fly during inclement weather, according to the Flag Code. The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.

Do you have to take down a flag every night?

As the Centre launches a Har Ghar Tiranga campaign from August 13, the Ministry of Home Affairs has amended the Flag Code of India 2002. The national flag can now remain hoisted through the night if it is in the open and hoisted by a member of the public.

Why are flags backwards on police uniforms?

The idea behind it is to always be moving forward and not retreating.

What are five things not allowed under the Flag Code?

The flag should never touch anything physically beneath it. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds but always allowed to fall free. The flag should always be permitted to fall freely.

What does a upside down flag mean?

According to the U.S. Flag Code, flying the American flag inverted is legal, as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

Is it against Flag Code to kneel?

Kneeling during the National Anthem is not mentioned in the U.S. Flag Code, but under “Patriotic Customs,” Title 36 of Chapter 10, “all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart”.

Does Home Depot dispose of old flags?

These Home Depot locations will gladly take your American flags to recycle or burn. They offer these services to ensure the flags get thrown away properly if others do not have the means to. Check inside or ask an associate where their flag drop box is and leave it in the donation container.

What do you do with flowers left over from a funeral?

Can an American flag be buried in a casket?

Steps to properly display the United States flag over a casket. The United States flag is placed with the "field of stars" covering the head and over the left shoulder of the casket. Keep the flag in place during the burial ceremony. Do not let the flag touch the ground at any time.