Steps To Secure A United States Flag For A Veteran’s Casket

Honoring a military veteran with a burial flag is a long-standing tradition. The United States flag draped over a casket signifies national gratitude for the service and sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces. For families organizing military funeral honors, securing this flag is an essential step in the planning process. While the Department of Veterans Affairs provides burial flags at no cost to eligible veterans, managing the paperwork and coordination can feel challenging during a time of grief.

Understanding the application process ensures that your loved one receives the recognition they earned. Working with knowledgeable funeral directors and gathering military records early makes this process straightforward. This guide outlines the required paperwork, eligibility criteria, distribution channels, and presentation traditions to help you complete every step seamlessly.

Understanding Eligibility for a Military Burial Flag

Before submitting an application, families must verify whether their loved one meets the eligibility criteria set by federal law. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides one flag per veteran to drape over the casket or accompany the urn. After the service, the flag is presented to the next of kin as a permanent keepsake.

A veteran is eligible for a burial flag if they meet any of the following requirements:

• Served in active duty during a war or after May 31, 1955.
• Served in the peacetime military and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable prior to June 27, 1950.
• Served in the Selected Reserve or Individual Ready Reserve and fulfilled their initial service obligation.
• Died while serving on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
• Was discharged from service due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

If you need assistance confirming service requirements, reviewing our dedicated veterans funeral services page provides clarity on how military benefits are integrated into burial plans.

Documents Needed to Request a Veteran’s Casket Flag

To apply for a flag, the family or funeral director must provide official military documentation that verifies the veteran’s service record and character of discharge.

The Discharge Certificate (DD Form 214)

The primary document required by the Department of Veterans Affairs is the veteran’s official discharge certificate, commonly known as Form DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). This record provides critical details, including dates of enlistment, date of separation, branch of service, and discharge status.

VA Form 27-2008

The official application for the burial flag is VA Form 27-2008, titled Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. This document requires personal information about the veteran, details about the applicant, and information regarding where the flag should be delivered or picked up.

Locating Missing Discharge Papers

If the family cannot find the original DD Form 214, an official copy can be requested through the National Personnel Records Center or via the National Archives online records request system. County clerk offices where the veteran settled after discharge often have registered copies on file as well. Funeral staff can also assist in requesting expedited records when necessary.

Steps To Secure A United States Flag For A Veteran’S Casket

Securing a flag involves an organized administrative process. Following these steps helps ensure that the flag arrives well before the scheduled service.

Step 1: Download or Obtain VA Form 27-2008

You can download VA Form 27-2008 directly from the official Department of Veterans Affairs website. Physical copies are also available at local U.S. Post Office branches, regional VA offices, and licensed funeral homes. Families utilizing our planning checklist will find this step included in our standard preparation guidance.

Step 2: Complete the Application Form

Fill out all required fields on the application form. You must enter the veteran’s full legal name, Social Security number, branch of service, date of birth, date of death, and service number if applicable. Be sure to indicate the primary next of kin who will receive the flag after the ceremony.

Step 3: Attach Official Proof of Service

Attach a clear copy of the DD Form 214 or equivalent military separation document to the application. Submissions without official military documentation cannot be processed by distribution centers.

Step 4: Submit to an Authorized Distribution Center

Burial flags are distributed through authorized sites across the country to ensure prompt availability. You can submit the application and pick up a flag from:

• Most U.S. Post Offices nationwide.
• Regional Department of Veterans Affairs offices.
• Your selected funeral director, who can process the application on your behalf.

In most arrangements, your funeral home manages this step directly with local authorities to ensure the flag is prepared for the burial services.

How the Flag Is Displayed During the Service

Military custom dictates how the flag is arranged during funeral services. The exact layout depends on whether the family selects a closed casket, an open casket, or a cremation service.

Closed Casket Display

For a closed casket, the flag is draped over the top so that the blue field of stars rests over the head and left shoulder of the deceased veteran.

Open Casket Display

When an open casket is chosen, the flag is folded to accommodate the open lid. For a full-couch casket, the flag is folded into a triangle and placed inside the cap above the veteran’s left shoulder. For a half-couch casket, the flag is folded into three equal length wise folds and laid across the closed lower section, with the blue union positioned on the left side.

Cremation Display

If cremation is selected, the burial flag is folded into the traditional military triangle prior to the service and displayed next to the memorial urn. You can explore our selection of urns to find options designed to complement military memorial displays.

Military Honors and the Flag Folding Ceremony

At the conclusion of the funeral service or committal service at the cemetery, a military honor guard conducts the flag-folding ceremony. The honor guard consists of at least two uniformed military members, with at least one representing the veteran’s branch of service.

The flag is folded thirteen times into a compact triangle, leaving only the blue field and white stars visible. Once folded, an honor guard representative presents the flag to the designated next of kin on behalf of the President of the United States and the branch of service.

Preserving and Displaying the Veteran’s Flag

After the funeral, the flag serves as a lasting memorial. Federal guidelines state that burial flags should not be flown outdoors or used as everyday flags. Instead, families keep the flag preserved indoors.

Most families place the folded flag inside a protective wooden display case, often alongside military ribbons, medals, or photographs. When selecting caskets and memorial keepsakes, discussing display options with your funeral team ensures you have the necessary items to preserve these honors securely.

Working with Funeral Directors for Veteran Services

Organizing military honors during a time of loss can feel demanding. Working alongside experienced funeral directors simplifies every stage of the process, from acquiring records to coordinating with military representatives and local post offices.

If you are making immediate arrangements or reviewing options for planning ahead, professional assistance ensures that all military protocols are executed correctly. For help with securing a burial flag or arranging military honors, please contact us today.