Laws Concerning Flying the U.S. Flag at Half-Mast

The flag of the United States is a symbol of many things, including freedom and service to the country. For those who serve in certain capacities in the U.S. or state governments or the military, honor is paid upon their deaths by lowering the flag to half-mast. There are specific laws concerning the manner in which to raise and lower the flag, the times when it is appropriate to fly the flag at half-mast, and the length of time it should remain at half-mast.

How to Lower the Flag to Half Mast

First, raise the flag to the top of the pole, then immediately lower it into the half-staff position. Before lowering the flag for the evening, raise it again to the top of the flagpole and then lower it completely.

Holidays and Days of Remembrance

On Memorial Day, the flag is flown at half-mast until noon. Then it is raised to full mast. On Patriot Day (September 11), Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15) and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7), the flag flies at half-mast from sunrise to sunset.

Deaths of Officials or Dignitaries

By order of the president of the United States, the flag is flown at half-mast when certain officials die. By federal law, these people include "principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory."

A state governor may order the U.S. flag to be flown at half-mast if a member of state government dies. Also, upon the death of a member of the military engaged in active duty, the governor of that person's state of citizenship may also order the flag to fly at half-mast.

Only the president of the United States or the governor of a state or territory may order that flags be flown at half-mast. Flying a flag at half-mast without these executive orders is illegal, though rarely prosecuted.

Length of Time

Upon the death of the president of the United States, or any former president, the flag is to be flown at half-mast for 30 days. Upon the death of the vice president, speaker of the House of Representatives or the chief justice, the flag remains at half-mast for 10 days.

For other officials, the flag is flown at half-mast from the day of the death until burial. These officials include former vice presidents of the United States, the governor of a state or territory, and an associate justice of the Supreme Court. When a member of Congress dies, the flag is flown at half-mast on the day of the death and the day following the death.

Definition of Half-Mast

The flag should fly at exactly halfway between the top and bottom of the staff.

References

• Cornell University Law School U.S. Code Collection
• Department of Defense