When a flag from a military casket is folded at the funeral, is it OK to fly that flag again?
June 1st, 2009 | 
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Jeffrey asked:
My aunt has the flag that covered my cousin’s coffin after he died in Iraq. She would like to fly it at her farm in his honor on Memorial Day. Is it considered a breach of flag protocol to unfurl one that’s been folded in a military funeral?
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Yes.
Often the family will fly that flag on Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day or the anniversary of the funeral as a way to honor either the individual or service members in general.
I fly a 48 star flag from a funeral of a WW II veteran family member to honor him and all his contemporaries who served in WW II.
On the other hand, the family will put it in a display box and never fly it again. They display it on a wall along with some of his medals and/or picture.
Either way, it is never wrong to honor the flag, service members or the service member who had his coffin draped with that flag.
Tell your aunt to fly it. Only a total jerk would criticize her for it.
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For the question…there is nothing that pertains to that by law or regulation. She may do so as she wishes.
Quote: “I knew a woman whose son was KIA and she unfolded that flag and wrapped it around herself for support.”
So she violated law/code, disrespected the flag and you think thats okay? Wow.
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A flag presented to the next of kin in honor of a military service member’s service can be flown whenever the family wants to… that flag belongs to the family and is a “Token” from the military to the family. Just make sure that you treat it with care and respect. It is actually a tradition in most families to fly those flags either all the time or on special days to honor their loved ones. And I would **** to think that I have performed Military Honors and done all that flag folding for all those families just for them to shove that flag in a box and never use it.
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There is nothing I can find in the US Flag code (see link below) against flying that flag. The only person with the right to change that code is the Commander in Chief of the Military; the President.
It is up to the person to whom the flag was presented to determine it’s use, as long as that use is respectful and follows the flag code. For those that think it is more appropriate to retire the flag, that is fine by the code, and a respectful solution. If your Aunt flies the flag correctly (see the code), and it’s done to honor her son, that is a VERY appropriate use as well.
It is kind of interesting about the absence of any specific instructions for a burial flag, other than its proper disposal when retired. As far as I can tell from reading the references, a flag is not considered truly retired until it is respectfully destroyed according to the code. If your Aunt wants a more precise ruling, I am sure the American Legion will be happy to answer any concerns. And no, I am not a legion member, but they do a good job of providing records and archives for this sort of thing.
I have two Grandchildren in Iraq right now, and I mourn for her loss. I pray every day for the safe return of all our sons and daughters.
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Yes, she can fly it. It is hers. The local VA or Honor Guard can refold it for her at no cost.
I knew a woman whose son was KIA and she unfolded that flag and wrapped it around herself for support. She said she felt an amazing peace being surrounded by the Stars and Stripes. She later had it refolded by the Honor Guard.
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It is quite proper to display these flags. In fact, it is a moving tribute. Such flags from funerals are usually 5 x 9.5′ so they are too large to display from a pole in a bracket. They are by rights also too large for most home in-ground poles. Since they would be oversize for those types of poles, display them only on a calm day during good weather because they will stress the pole much more that a properly sized flag. Do it with care to protect your pole, and only during that time of calm weather. You could damage your pole with such an oversize flag. OR you could just display them vertically on an exterior wall or hanging down from a porch. Stars would be in the upper left corner as you view the flag. Flags from funerals are almost always cotton which is the least durable fabric for outdoor display. To extend their life some people display them just once in a while on selected holidays or special days. You might display them say on Memorial Day or on the person’s birthday.
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I have never heard the question come up. I have informed my wife that if I should die before her she was to make sure that my flag is flown at least once per year. As long as it is correctly refolded I don’t see any problem with it.
This is the only link I can find and what is said.
Is it okay to fly a flag that was used to drape a coffin?
The Flag Code makes no reference to this use. There is a difference of opinion. Some feel that once folded, it should remain so forever. Other experts feel that it would be an honor to display the flag again to show patriotism. Casket flags are 9-1/2′x5′ which is almost twice larger than the usual 5′x3′ house flag.
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No, that flag is essentially retired and a kind of solemn momento.
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The flag belongs to the person it is presented to and is theirs to do with what they want. Usually it is put into a shadow box with the soldiers medals and badges of rank and displayed in a prominent place. If the person who receives the flag wants to fly it in honor of the deceased it is perfectly correct to do so. Just as flags that have flown over the capital and other important places are flown at schools and other buildings the flag from the casket can be flown as a sign of ultimate respect. It just must be flown according to the rules of flying the flag such as the proper methods of raising and lowering and not flying at night unless it is illuminated. Not flying in bad weather and such. It should be flown from a real flag pole not one of those little things that hang off the front porch.
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no: that flag is representing the person’s leaving of this world. It’s supposed to be kept folded as a remeberance of their service to the country. I beleive it would be “sacriligious” in a military sense.
-hope this helps. I’m really sorry to hear about this brave person’s life who helped serve our country.
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i am sorry for your loss. my brother is over there too.
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The flag was given to her..She can do as she pleases with it..
Who in their right mind would tell her otherwise..
I myself would not unfold the flag…
Read here under funeral flags..
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nope that flag being folded is a symbol of it being “retired”. that means it doesn’t fly again, it’s kept as a symbol of the Soldier’s/Marine’s/Sailor’s/Airmen’s life and service
I suggest just buying a new flag and flying that one. It’s kind of a no-no to unfold a flag that has been folded in a ceremony.