Unless the Army made up something out of thin air.
Not long ago, I received a comment attempting to justify a photograph of a folded flag partially unfolded and draped over an urn.
The argument advanced a familiar narrative:
If something is not explicitly prohibited, then it is permissible.
If the intent is honorable, then alteration of standard is acceptable.
That reasoning does not withstand scrutiny.
Below is a structured analysis of the claims presented and the governing authorities that refute them.
Download the White Paper – There Is No Authorization to Drape an Urn with the United States Flag
Claim 1: The U.S. Flag Code Does Not Prohibit Draping an Urn
Comment Summary:
4 U.S.C. § 7 authorizes draping a casket but does not prohibit draping an urn. The Flag Code is broad and sets general standards.
Doctrinal Response
The United States Flag Code was codified in 1942 and reflects Department of the Army and Department of the Navy standards in effect following World War II.
Key points:
- The Flag Code governs civilian conduct. It does not regulate military ceremonial procedure.
- The Code authorizes specific actions, including draping a casket (4 U.S.C. § 7).
- The Code does not authorize draping an urn.
The argument that “not prohibited equals permitted” reverses the structure of ceremonial authorization.
In matters of flag treatment, authorization is affirmative, not speculative.
If an action is not provided for in governing guidance, it is not authorized.
Nothing in 4 U.S.C. §§ 1–10 supports draping an urn.
Claim 2: Service Funeral Manuals Govern Practice
Correct. Service manuals govern military funeral honors. They provide the operational standard.
Let us examine them.
Army Regulation 840-10, Flags, Guidons, Streamers, Tabards, and Automobile Plates
The regulation is explicit:
“The interment flag covers the casket at the military funeral.”
When the casket is opened:
“The flag will be removed, folded to the triangular shape of a cocked hat…”
The Army authorizes:
- Draping a casket.
- Folding the flag.
- Presentation of the folded flag.
Nothing supports the argument to drape an urn.
When not fully draped over a casket, the flag is folded into a triangle.
The pattern is consistent and unmistakable.
TC 3-21.5 does leave room for someone to think that can make things up. However, the local SOP is supposed to be administrative and cannot replace Army doctrine: “14-6. Funeral detail NCOICs will develop their own unit funeral detail standard operating procedures (SOPs) meeting the minimum Soldier requirements and then be certified by their unit CSM.”
For cremated remains:
“ART. 1-6. “Military Funeral Honors for Cremated Remains (CREMAINS). When the remains of the deceased have been cremated, only two body bearers are needed to transport the urn and folded flag from the vehicle containing the cremains to the grave.”
ART. 2-7. “a. If the urn is to be opened and the cremains scattered at the time of committal, a small table or stand should be securely rigged beforehand at the selected place for the committal. The urn will be placed on this table or stand during the reading of the service. The folded flag will be placed on the stand beside the cremains.”
The instruction is explicit.
The flag remains folded.
It is placed beside the urn.
Nothing supports the argument to drape an urn.
Marine Corps – MCO P3040.4, Marine Corps Casualty Assistance Program
The Order contains no authorization to drape an urn.
Guidance addresses:
- Urn selection.
- Transportation procedures.
- Next of kin considerations.
Nothing supports the argument to drape an urn.
Air Force
- AFI 34-501, Mortuary Affairs contains no authorization to drape an urn.
- AFMAN 34-515, Honor Guard Manual states:
“When transporting an urn (cremate container)… The NPB always carries the flag and Fold carries the urn.”
The flag is carried folded.
The Air Force explicitly maintains separation between urn and folded flag.
Nothing supports the argument to drape an urn.
Coast Guard – COMDTINST M1770.9, Military Casualties and Decedent Affairs
The title is not “Military Funeral Honors” as you wrote.
The manual addresses casualty and decedent affairs logistics.
Nothing supports the argument to drape an urn.
The Consistent Pattern Across All Branches
When cremated remains are involved:
- The urn is transported.
- The flag remains folded.
- The folded flag is placed beside the urn.
- The folded flag is presented to the next of kin.
There is no branch of the United States Armed Forces that authorizes partially unfolding a flag to drape an urn.
Not one.
What the Doctrine Teaches Us
The ceremonial states of the United States flag are limited and consistent:
When unfolded:
- Attached to a halyard and raised.
- Fully draped over a casket.
- Fully opened during a retirement ceremony before being immediately refolded.
When not unfolded:
- Folded into the prescribed triangular shape.
- Presented.
- Placed beside the remains.
Members of the military do not partially unfold the flag to drape objects.
There is no doctrinal category for “partial drape.”
The Structural Error in the Argument For Draping
The error lies in assuming flexibility where doctrine establishes specificity.
Military funeral honors are among the most standardized ceremonial acts performed by the United States Armed Forces. The absence of authorization across all branches is not accidental.
It is intentional.
If draping an urn were authorized, it would be written.
It is not written.
Bottom Line
There is no such thing as “draping an urn.”
In military funeral honors:
- A casket is draped.
- An urn is accompanied by a folded flag.
Anything else is invention.
Good intentions do not create authorization.
Emotion does not create doctrine.
And silence in regulation does not grant permission.
Standards exist to preserve meaning.
When those standards are altered to suit preference, we do not expand honor—we dilute it.
Nothing supports the argument to drape an urn.