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Is it OK to fly a flag used for a funeral?

Posted on 7/25/21 at 5:52 pm
Posted by East Coast Band
Member since Nov 2010
62729 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 5:52 pm
10 years ago my father passed away and he received a US flag, folded, since he had been in the US Navy. He wasn't a war veteran, but enlisted in 1945.

I just received the flag from my mother. It's in a vinyl style pouch that was folded properly which looks like from the funeral home.

I'm wondering would it be considered acceptable to fly the flag? Or would you leave it folded in its pouch?

My father wasn't a big time military person, probably you wouldn't have realized he was even in the Service had you known him, so "being military" was not a big time thing in our house growing up.
What say you?

Posted by jamiegla1
Member since Aug 2016
6959 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 5:53 pm to
I wouldn’t
Posted by back9Tiger
Mandeville, LA.
Member since Nov 2005
14130 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 5:53 pm to
Just my opinion so take it for what it’s worth... I think it would be disrespectful to the person. My dad was in the navy and he died last year. He loved the navy so maybe that’s why I have th opinion that I do.
Posted by HeadSlash
TEAM LIVE BADASS - St. GEORGE
Member since Aug 2006
49527 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 5:58 pm to
Put it in a display case.
Posted by Obtuse1
Westside Bodymore Yo
Member since Sep 2016
25556 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 5:59 pm to
My opinion is I would love for my family to take out my funeral flag and fly it on occasion. I mean flags are meant to be flown. I wouldn't want them to just hang it on a pole and let it get destroyed though. Taking it out flying it and putting it up is a great way to reconnect in a visceral way.

Posted by theantiquetiger
Paid Premium Member Plus
Member since Feb 2005
19187 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 5:59 pm to
Google it, there are rules to the US flag.

I looked it up, it is ok to fly the flag or display unfolded on a wall
This post was edited on 7/25/21 at 6:02 pm
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
118922 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 5:59 pm to
quote:

I'm wondering would it be considered acceptable to fly the flag? Or would you leave it folded in its pouch?




I would display it in my home, not take it out and fly it.
Posted by Hotgin
Kazakhstan
Member since Jan 2014
1268 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 5:59 pm to
Typically internment flags are not “all weather”
So if flown it will weather quicker than most
Posted by TheFonz
Somewhere in Louisiana
Member since Jul 2016
20351 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 6:02 pm to
I wouldn’t. Just get a display case from Hobby Lobby for $25. I have my grandfather’s displayed in one with his medals. Also, if you unfold I guarantee you that you’ll never get it folded correctly again.

Leave it be.
Posted by dakarx
Member since Sep 2018
6819 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 6:02 pm to
Customary for a cased memorial flag to remain cased and displayed cased.

I don't recall anything specific in the US Flag Code or AR 840-10 (Army reg for flag protocol, seems drill sgt's remember shite like reg numbers forever.)

That being said..you are now the custodian so do as you like (I'm sure proper care goes without saying).
This post was edited on 7/25/21 at 6:05 pm
Posted by Dam Guide
Member since Sep 2005
15498 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 6:03 pm to
quote:

Typically internment flags are not “all weather” So if flown it will weather quicker than most


They are also larger and should be flown on a large flag pole. I knew of one person that asked for it to be flown by a local group a certain day each year.

Flying it in a respectful way is usually the only reason you should unfold it.

If you decide to fly it and it gets weathered, take it to a local Boy Scout or Cub Scout troop/pack to retire it. They will do a respectful service for it.
This post was edited on 7/25/21 at 6:05 pm
Posted by East Coast Band
Member since Nov 2010
62729 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 6:03 pm to
quote:

Google it, there are rules to the US flag

I saw mixed opinions. Also says there are no "rules" of whether ir not to fly it.

LINK
quote:

Should a flag used for a military funeral be flown? There is some difference of opinion among legal and historical scholars on this point.

The official flag code does not make mention of the issue; some hold that once a flag is folded it should remain folded, while others have concluded that it is a noble and patriotic way to honor the life of the military service member.

Again, while the flag code does not mention the usage of funeral flags, it does not expressly forbid the unfolding and flying of the flag after the funeral service.


Posted by tigahfromtheham
On your left
Member since Jun 2005
5800 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 6:04 pm to
It’s ok I just wouldn’t do it.
Posted by Obtuse1
Westside Bodymore Yo
Member since Sep 2016
25556 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 6:07 pm to
quote:

Also, if you unfold I guarantee you that you’ll never get it folded correctly again.


It may be a lost art but if you can fold a paper "football" you can fold a flag.
Posted by BabyTac
Austin, TX
Member since Jun 2008
12057 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 6:08 pm to
I’m sure it’ll be fine. Nobody dead will care either way.
Posted by Jcorye1
Tom Brady = GoAT
Member since Dec 2007
71339 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 6:13 pm to
I could see flying it maybe every memorial day and returning it to the case after, but not on a regular basis.
Posted by Ricardo
Member since Sep 2016
4855 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 6:13 pm to
I'd buy a case and keep it on a shelf next to a portrait of his.

Then, I'd buy another flag and fly it on his birthday and have a drink to the old man and salute, Old Glory.
Posted by Gorilla Ball
Member since Feb 2006
11648 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 6:14 pm to
I’d just display it. Not outside
Posted by PowerTool
The dark side of the road
Member since Dec 2009
21092 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 6:14 pm to
You're the only one here who knew your dad, and it's your flag now. Do what feels right to you.

Just read the label or look at the fabric to see if it's All-Weather before flying it. A ceremonial flag may not last long. But as long as you follow flag code and don't leave it out all the time in bad weather, it should be ok for a long time.
Posted by madamsquirrel
The Snarlington Estate
Member since Jul 2009
48338 posts
Posted on 7/25/21 at 6:17 pm to
quote:

Customary for a cased memorial flag to remain cased and displayed cased.
all of our family displays them this way.
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