Military Flag Folding Ceremony Funeral

Presentation of the american flag by the funeral director.
Military flag folding ceremony funeral. The military funeral honors program includes traditions within the funeral honors intended to express deep gratitude for those who have served our nation. Va clarifies policy on flag folding recitations 13 fold ceremony other scripts approved to ensure burial services at the 125 national cemeteries operated by the department of veterans affairs reflect the wishes of veterans and their families va officials have clarified the department s policy about recitations made while the u s. It is because of the armed forces that this nation and its flag are protected from her enemies. The military funeral s flag folding ceremony each funeral service is unique to those experiencing the loss of a loved one and also serves as a special tribute to the deceased.
This brochure is a quick reference for such occasions. The ceremonial folding and presentation of that flag is a moving tribute of lasting importance to the veteran s family. To ensure burial services at the 143 national cemeteries operated by the department of veterans affairs reflect the wishes of veterans. The flag is placed on a closed casket so the union blue field is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased.
Flag is folded at the grave site of a veteran. The eighth fold. From the folding of the flag to the sounding of taps here is a guide to what you can expect during military funeral honors. An american flag drapes the casket of deceased veterans to honor the memory of their service to their country.
Some insist the flag is to remain folded while others choose to display it unfolded. Taps now is played by the military at burial and memorial services to accompany the lowering of the flag and to signal the lights out command at day s end. Army infantry regulations by 1891 required taps to be played at military funeral ceremonies. A united states burial casket flag drapes the casket of deceased veterans to honor the memory of their service to the country.
So there s no protocol to worry about when handling a funeral flag after the presentation ceremony. The funeral flag presentation in military funerals is one of the many ways the united states honors veterans. This seventh mark of honor pays tribute to service members. Department of veterans affairs the flag folding ceremony.
The ceremonial folding and presentation of the flag is a moving tribute of lasting importance to the veteran s family. Psalm 23 4 is at the heart of this fold as it symbolizes that the departed veteran has entered the valley of the shadow of death and that he or she will see the eternal light. A sign of honor.