Apparently, the Flag Code and military manuals are not enough for Americans to understand that the flag is special and needs to be treated with honor at all times.
All About the Flag on the Casket is a good place to start for this article.
The image at the top of the article is just meant to be tongue-in-cheek. Its from a Star Trek movie where Spock dies and is placed in a giant sunglasses case. His remains are ejected from the Enterprise after the Federation of Planets flag is removed.
Historical Reference
The American flag was draped on all kinds of things, drawn up, and festooned (an item hanging between two points purely for decoration). In the photo above, you can see how the flag was drawn up/festooned for decoration. When searching online, you can find many similar photos.
A Casket
Please read The Draped and Dressed Casket for guidance on carrying a casket using both techniques.
A casket has four sides, a coffin has six sides. Americans use caskets. The Flag Code (1947); AR 840-10, Flags, Guidons, Streamers, Tabards, and Automobile and Aircraft Plates; MCO 5060.20, Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies; and AFI 34-1201. Protocol, all state the American flag only drapes the casket.
(n) When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. (4 US Code § 7)
Chapter 2, 2-4, j. (2) On a closed casket, the flag will be placed lengthwise, with the union at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. (AR 840-10)
Chapter 13, 1. g. When the national colors is draped on the casket, it shall be placed so the stars are at the head of the casket over the left shoulder of the deceased. Nothing shall rest on top of the national colors. The colors will be removed as the casket is being lowered into the grave, and in time so the colors will not touch the ground. (MCO 5060.20)
Chapter 2, 2.10.10. On a closed casket, the flag will be placed lengthwise, with the union at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. (AFI 34-1201)
Please note what these standards state, the flag drapes a casket. Please also recognize what they do not state, that the flag drapes anything else. I need to emphasize this because some American’s just don’t get it, they think that a flag draping something else will make that situation that much more meaningful, “honorabler”, or, my favorite, “ceremonialer”. Some will offer an excuse for just about anything as long as their feelings are involved. I call that “emotionaler”.
Please also read Flag Orientation on a Casket as this matters a great deal.
By the way, every American may have a flag on their casket. Who folds it is the question that must be answered. Read All About the Flag on the Casket.
A Military Transfer Case
A military transfer case is essentially a casket for military members who die while overseas in combat, an accident, or other reason. It is also draped by the flag and flown back to the US through Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
A Body Bag
For situations similar to what is shown immediately below, draping the bed is inappropriate. Folding the ends and sides of the flag under itself and placing it directly on the body bag so that the flag is completely inside the bed rails with no possibility of getting caught on anything or touched by hands pushing the bed is best. Read also, Handling the Flag.
In the situation shown directly above, a veteran passed away at a VA hospital in Georgia. It is definitely easier on others to see and honor a flag-draped body bag rather than see a bare body bag wheeled through the corridors. The same situation happened below, but this is 100% wrong.
Having two flag, one on top of the other or even both beside each other, is wrong. we drape the deceased with one flag only. The next-of-kin decides if the deceased did not already leave directions on what to do. You never place multiple flags on a casket, and by association, that includes the body bag.
Please read When to Drape the Deceased for a situation where the flag is put in violation of 4 U.S. Code § 8 – Respect for flag, “(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.”
During World War Two (WWII), when the US Navy had casualties aboard ship, The deceased Sailors were placed in cloth body bags and the remains stored in the ship’s cooler or freezer in the galley. At an appropriate time, a burial at sea ceremony would take place.
Part of the ceremony entailed placing the bagged remains on a board, and draping both with the flag. At the appointed time, the board would be lifted and tilted so that the feet traveled first as the remains slid into the water. The flag was secured in the hands of the pallbearers along with the board.
The Flag Code was written two years after WWII using military manuals dated from that era. Before that, there was zero guidance for the use of the flag by Americans who were not serving in the military. Military manuals had guidance, but that was for the military.
The US Navy Landing Party Manual, Chapter 3, Section VIII (1950, earliest version I have) has information on funerals, flag folding info, but nothing on a burial at sea.
A Shipping Container – NO!
No! Absolutely not. The flag is not to be exposed to an industrial area.
- We have covered that the casket is the only thing draped by a flag.
- This is in direct violation of 4 U.S. Code § 8 – Respect for flag, “(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.”
In the image above, not only is the flag being draped on a casket shipping container, but they also seem to be unaware of how the flag is supposed to be oriented. Other photos of that event show that the flag was placed upside-down, the canton on the right.
The shipping container is a thick-walled cardboard top that fits into a wooden tray. The black straps are heavy nylon. Casket travel inside the cargo/luggage area of the aircraft. It is loaded last and removed first. When loaded, the container is sealed and placed into the aircraft.
When the casket is to be unloaded to change planes, pallbearers can be in place to carry the shipping container, as shown by the Airmen at left.
When the casket is to be unloaded at its final destination (casket change to connecting flights at times), the lid is supposed to be removed inside the cargo area, the flag placed onto the casket and, if available, a casket band placed around the flag so that it will not slide off at some point while it’s brought down the conveyor or lift.
A Cadaver, K9 – NO!
A cadaver is a dead body. The above photo on the right is real. That is not a mannequin, he is a veteran who passed away in 2017 and a messy story. This is unacceptable under any circumstances. Both the veteran’s remains, and flag are completely disrespected here.
The same goes for the Military Working Dog. The K9 is authorized certain honors because it is a member of the military branch and serves with rank. However, under no circumstances should a flag ever drape a dead body. It is in direct violation of 4 U.S. Code § 8 – Respect for flag:
- (d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.
- (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.
A Chair or Table – NO!
Absolutely not. It does not matter what the reasoning is behind the display, draping anything other than a casket, transfer case, or body bag is wrong. You do not show respect by throwing a flag over something just because.
But, to Dry a Flag
The flag does not drape a chair, table, or anything else for a memorial, funeral, or what have you. It can drape an object when you have taken it down and it’s wet. See my two photos below.
You can do this if you need to dry your flag as long as the surface will not stain the flag. On the left is the flag at my house. We have some antique school desks that my mother-in-law used when she was very young, and the flag only touches certain parts of the desks. On the right is a garrison flag at an Army-based cadet program where I worked. The cadets and I brought the flag down, folded it, brought it inside, and spread it out across a dozen small tables and chairs. The next morning it was dry so it was folded and put away to be stored until next time we would raise it.
Speaking of Drying
The flag on the right is called a color. A color is attached to a flagstaff for an indoor static display and carried by a color guard. When a color gets wet, remove it from the staff as quickly as possible and lay it flat, if possible, until it is completely dry. The flag in the photo was left on the staff, dried, and is now permanently mishappen.
Remember, the difference in most cases is between displaying and utility.
A Bar or Hanger
Dover Air Force Base in Delaware is where all deceased military remains go when the individual was stationed or deployed overseas. What you see in the photo above is flags, received from the manufacturer, are unfolded, ironed, and draped over the bars ready to be used to drape caskets. This is not a display, it is a utilitarian method of preparation for use.