When an Army veteran has funeral but was cremated - no casket - how is the flag presented - already folded?

Question

He is receiving a full honors service (21 gun salute, flag, etc) but since there will be no coffin for the flag to be draped over, how will it be presented to his widow?

Answer 1

The flag is typically placed on the casket by the funeral home prior to anyone arriving, unless it is an active duty member then it is placed by the military. Once the body is prepared for cremation the flag is folded by the funeral home staff. When the military honors team arrives they and the funeral director will make the determination based on the ceremony on rather or not to present a pre-folded flag or to fold the flag in front of the family. If the service is to be full honors what they might do is remove the flag from the display stand, unfold it, and refold the flag. This allows the officer in charge to inspect the flag and for the sergeant in charge to place in the flag the expended bullet casings from the firing detail. Then the flag would be presented to the next of kin. But, no matter what the flag will always be presented folded to the next of kin. Never, ever will the flag be handed around unfolded or inproperly folded.

Answer 2

Flag Presentation At Funeral

Answer 3

Military Funeral Flag Presentation

Answer 4

The ceremony is held generally before the cremation, so most standard rules will apply. Instead of a cemetary venue though, another proper area near the crematorium can be used. The casket would then be brought into the crematorium after the presentation of the flag.

Answer 5

My friend's dad was an Army vet, and he was buried in a casket. But even so, the flag was already folded when it was presented to his widow.

Answer 6

There are several ways. The guards may walk down holding the flag taut and fold it and present it to her or it can be folded before hand and set beside a picture of the deceased, and then presented to her in ceremony.