Do you know the real meaning of the folded US flag presented to the next of kin at funerals?

Question

How is the flag folded, what do the folds represent, what does the twenty one gun salute represent and what are your personal feelings about this honor shown to our heroes? Best answer to the most compresensive explanation and heartfelt personal comments. Thank you.

Answer 1

First, I love your new Avatar! Over The Top, Soldier! Next, I'm gonna have to do some research on the meanings. But let me say this about The Ceremony.
Upon the burial of my Father. I saw such an emotion of Loyalty, Honor, Pride, and Comradely. Likes of which is NEVER seen in civilian life, today. These Men, never knew my Father. But they Honored him. As if they were Family. They stepped to Precise "Duty"!! But still had emotions in their eyes. Dedication, Pride, Glory, Honor, Determination. These are just the short list of what it means to have a Flag, draped over someones Coffin.
... I apologize for not having that information available. And I ask that someone step up and give this information to Sarge. But I can only honor you with my Friendship. And dedication to being the best damn friend, to you, that I can be. Thank you for Serving your Country!

Answer 2

You asked: got it all completely right but left out a few small facts.

The thirteen stripes are the symbol of the original 13 colonies that many fought for.

The white is for the purity of the idea of freedom

the red is for the blood that has been shed to preserve that freedom.

The stars that represent the 50 states are taken from the heavens.

Other than that, they are 100% right.

I just buried a dear close friend last month in a National Cematary and the whole thing was explained to us.

If you have never been to an Honors Funeral and ever have the chance to go, by all means, go. There is nothing else like it and you will not be able to stop the tears from running down your face.

Answer 3

I think every service person deserves these honors. I marvel and pray for them as they are in such peril. When I was small, my big brother was in Korea and we prayed him all the way home at the end of his duty!

The flag is folded in the shape of a tri-cornered hat like those worn by the Colonial soldiers. In folding, the red and white stripes are finally wrapped into the blue, as the light of day vanishes into the night. This folding ritual is reserved for the flag of The United States alone. I can see how this would also be symbolic of the ending of a life, as well. All this brings a lump to my throat.

Answer 4

Well, I really don't know all that. I do know that it is a tremendous honor for those killed and the families left behind.

My uncle was killed in August of 1944 liberating France. My father, sister, mother, and aunt were down the shore as the war production lifted the family out of the Depression and kept my grandfather working everyday but Sunday.

My grandfather was the one who received the telegram and I guess the visit from the officers. He took the train to Wildwood and found the rest of the family on the beach. It was there he gave the telegram to my grandmother and their lives were changed forever.

My uncle was originally buried in France, but my grandmother was beside herself with grief until, three telegrams and seven months later, the casket arrived back home. My father always says that they didn't know whether or not his brother was in it or a bunch of rocks but it didn't matter to my grandmother as she believed her Robert was in it and he was finally home again and they could have a proper funeral.

My grandfather kept the telegrams and the folded flag in his bottom drawer until the day he died. My father has it in his bottom drawer now. It has comforted a two generations since the day the soldiers folded it and has brought another generation closer to a man they never knew.

I'd like to know what the symbolism means.

Answer 5

The US flag is always to be folded in a triangluar or ****** hat format with stars showing. It is presented to the kin folded because it would be unweildy otherwise. The flag presentd to them is generally the one that covered the coffin of the deceased. I am not sure of the meaning of 21 guns but I am sure it is honorable. It is a great ceremony. Even if one doesn't know the deceased it is very moving.

Answer 6

First of all the flag draped over the casket in memory of their service to the US and the special folding is reserved for only the United States flag.
The flag is placed so the blue field with stars is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased.
1) fold is for symbol of Life
2) fold is for symbol of our belief in eternal Life
3) fold is in honor of the veteran departing the ranks defending our country and freedoms
4) represents our weaker nature as humans, and to turn always to God in war and in peace
5) fold is a tribute to our country, still our country right or wrong
6) fold for where our hearts lie
7) fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces
8) fold is a tribute to the one who entered the valley of the shadow of death
9) fold is a tribute to womanhood
10) fold is a tribute to fatherhood
11) fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Soloman
12) fold represents eternity and glory to the Supreme Being
13) fold shows the stars upper most and reminds us of our motto In God We Trust
It is said that after it is folded it looks like a tri cornered hat use to be worn by ones that served under Gen George Washington

Hope this answers it close enough for what you asked. I have had several family members so honored with the gun salute and flag folding ceremony. Very moving, and knew that they had served our great nation when called upon.
I go overseas but even then it is good to know that I have my/our American Embassy standing ready for me in case of need. Thank you Sarge for reminding us of this tradition.

Answer 7

The flag was presented to my step-mother after the death of my father in recognition of his 20 plus years of service in the army fighting in World War II, the Korean War and various other mostly peacetime duties. It was presented on behalf of a grateful nation in recognition of his 'military' service. He is buried in the military cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I think someone may have developed meanings for the folds but I'm sure, originally, they were just the best way to fold the flag in order to present it in an efficient bundle that wouldn't unravel in the recipients hands on the way home.

Answer 8

It is a very moving ceremony. Here is a link that explains the symbolism. When my father passed away several years ago, it was impossible to hold back tears after the 21 gun salute and flag folding ceremony.
http://www.angelfire.com/ga3/sweetgeorgiapeach1/truemeaning.html

Answer 9

If married, it somewhat is presented to the surviving spouse. If no longer married, it somewhat is presented to the mum and dad (frequently the mummy yet can be the father). on an analogous time as I consider the poster that the flag could probably be presented to infants in the previous the mum and dad, i'm not sure this is truthfully set in stone.

Answer 10

The flag is folded and is then presented to next of kin, "As a representative of the United States Army, it is my high privilege to present you this flag. Let it be a symbol of the grateful appreciation this nation feels for the distinguished service rendered to our country and our flag by your loved one." (Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin as a keepsake after its use during the funeral service. When there is no next-of-kin, the flag is presented to a friend making a request for it).
( The flag for someone who dies during active duty is provided by that individual's branch of service. The U.S. Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provides a U.S. flag at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U.S. armed forces.)