My firefighting friends in California had a great question for me. Here are my thoughts.
What a tragedy to lose a fellow firefighter, emergency medic, or law enforcement officer, let alone a member of the armed forces. However, it does happen and all too often. Since we know that death comes to us all and that it is just a matter of when, it is a good idea to be as prepared as possible. We will concentrate on the earthly traditions following a death, although each individual must give a thought to his everlasting soul before time runs out.
Tradition holds that warriors were draped with the colors under which they fought. That is why our US military service members and veterans have flag-draped caskets. Whether or not one believes, as Marine Corps Major General Smedley D. Butler once said, “War is a racket”, is not the issue, the issue is about rendering respect. Your politics, my politics have zero to do with the situation. This is also why we stand at the appropriate time.
Show proper respect to everyone. (1 Peter 2:17)
Give to everyone what you owe them: if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7)
First responders are also “in the fight” in the form of serving the public safety interest on a daily basis. Again, a concept of good/bad is not the issue.
All Americans are authorized to have a flag drape their casket, who folds it is the issue. Please read All About the Flag on the Casket.
Members of the US military receive the American flag. First responders have a choice. If the deceased individual has not made a choice, the family is then asked. If they do not have a preference, the American flag is the default. The choices for first responders are their state, county, and city flags.
NOTE: check your local guidance for any special flag fold procedures for state and other flags. Some states have them, most do not. For any state/municipality without guidance, the rectangle fold is standard, keeping the triangle fold reserved for the American flag. Yes, guidance can dictate the triangle fold for a state or municipal flag, but that guidance needs to be specific.
When?
The question then becomes, when does the body of the deceased get draped with the flag?
Tragedy struck the Arizona firefighting community a few years ago and it reverberated with firefighters throughout the world. Nineteen firefighters fighting wildfires lost their lives in unimaginable circumstances. The photo at top is from an unknown source. I’m using this photo as an educational example.
Informal Casket Watch
Once the dead first responder is discovered, the remains are moved to a staging area for transportation preparations including placing the remains in a body bag. It would be appropriate to begin Informal “Casket” Watch at this time.
Informal casket watch is accomplished on-site, at the coroner’s office, and the funeral home. The uniform can initially be duty and then switched to Class B if desired.
The deceased do not care, it’s about the family, both relatives and beyond. Showing the utmost care and respect are the best things one can do in these terrible situations. Carrying one or two interment flags (5′ x 9 1/2′) in a vehicle or apparatus can be part of preparing for the worst. However, draping a body is inappropriate and draping a body bag can be seen as not appropriate since all guidance says only a casket is draped. However, I understand draping a body bag. If you will drape the bag, I suggest folding the sides and ends of the flag back under the flag so that there isn’t a chance of the flag touching the ground.
I do suggest waiting until the deceased is placed in a casket because 4 U.S. Code § 8 – Respect for flag, states “(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.”
Formal Casket Watch
For complete information on uniformed (ceremonials/Class As) formal casket watch read here.