How do you fold a flag for a military funeral?

How do you fold a flag for a military funeral?

In the U.S. Armed Forces, at the ceremony of retreat, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s honored dead.

What does a folded flag mean in the military?

symbol of life
The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

How should a flag be displayed on a casket?

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.

Who can fold a military flag?

If you’re having problems folding a Veterans Casket Flag, you can either take it to your local American Legion or VFW Post and ask them to please fold it for you.

How do you display a flag on an open casket?

Answer: When a casket is fully open (full couch), common sense suggests that the flag be folded in the traditional triangular method, placed in the casket cap above the left shoulder of the deceased.

Who gets presented the flag at a military funeral?

Who is presented with the military burial flag? At the funeral, the flag is presented to the deceased’s next of kin. The next of kin is the person who is most closely related to the veteran. After receiving the flag, it is tradition among the family members to preserve for display in the house, usually in a frame.

Can a burial flag be flown?

Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin, as a keepsake, after its use during the funeral service. 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.

Who should get the burial flag at a military funeral?

Usually, there is no debate on who should get the burial flag. However, if the next of kin is deceased or can not be found, then the rules of succession depict who should get the flag at the military funeral.

What do the 12 folds of the burial flag mean?

Each of the 12 folds of the burial flag signifies something different about the Armed Forces and military tradition. Some folds have religious symbolism, and others are a symbol of eternal life. Once folded and tucked in, the flag has even more meaning.

What happens at a flag folding ceremony?

The flag folding ceremony begins- each of the 12 folds has its meaning. After the flag is folded, it is given to the military chaplain The military chaplain kneels and gives the burial flag to the family saying: “As a representative of the United States service branch, it is my high privilege to present to you this flag.

What happens to the military flag when a veteran dies?

The military flag is given to the deceased’s next of kin. The next of kin is determined by who is most closely related to the veteran. Receiving the flag is an honor and families usually display it in the home. Some families choose to donate their flags for veteran events.