VA Burial Flag: How to Request and Proper Handling

The VA provides a United States burial flag at no cost for draping the casket or accompanying the urn of an eligible veteran. The flag is a standard 5 by 9.5 foot interment flag, presented to the next of kin after the funeral service. Flags are available at VA regional offices, most U.S. Post Offices, and through funeral homes using VA Form 27-2008.

As a former first responder, I have attended veteran funerals where the family did not know they could receive a burial flag at no charge. The flag is one of the most meaningful symbols of a veteran's service, and it costs the family nothing. This guide walks through who qualifies, how to request the flag, how it is properly displayed and folded during the service, and what to do with it afterward. If you are planning a graveside service or funeral for a veteran, understanding the burial flag process will help you honor their service correctly.

Eligibility for a VA Burial Flag

Not every person who wore a military uniform automatically qualifies for a burial flag. Eligibility is tied to the character of the veteran's discharge and the nature of their service. The following groups are eligible for a free burial flag from the VA:

• Veterans who served during wartime or peacetime and received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.
• Veterans who served at least one enlistment period and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, even if the discharge characterization was not explicitly "honorable."
• Members of the Selected Reserve (Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve) who completed at least one full enlistment term or who were discharged for a service-connected disability.
• National Guard members who were activated under federal orders (Title 10) and served the full period of activation.
• National Guard or Reserve members who died while in service, even if they had not yet been discharged or completed their term.
• Former members of the military who served during wartime and whose only separation from service was under conditions other than dishonorable.

Veterans with dishonorable discharges are not eligible. If a veteran's discharge was less than honorable but not dishonorable (such as "other than honorable"), the VA will review the case individually. The funeral director or next of kin should contact the local VA regional office for a determination. In most cases, the DD-214 discharge papers will show the character of service clearly. If you need help locating a veteran's DD-214, the National Personnel Records Center can assist through Standard Form 180 or the eVetRecs online system.

How to Request a VA Burial Flag

Requesting a burial flag is straightforward. The process involves completing one form and presenting it along with proof of the veteran's eligible service. Here is the step-by-step process:

VA Form 27-2008

The official form for requesting a burial flag is VA Form 27-2008, titled "Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes." This is a one-page form that asks for the veteran's name, service dates, branch of service, discharge status, and the name of the person requesting the flag. It does not require detailed service records beyond basic identification.

Where to Get the Form and the Flag

• U.S. Post Offices: Most Post Office locations stock both the form and burial flags. You can walk in, complete the form, present the veteran's DD-214 or other discharge documentation, and receive the flag on the spot. Not every Post Office carries flags, so calling ahead is recommended.
• Funeral homes: Most funeral homes that regularly handle veteran services keep VA Form 27-2008 on hand and will request the flag on the family's behalf. This is the easiest route for most families because the funeral director handles the paperwork as part of the overall service arrangement.
• VA regional offices: Any VA regional office can issue the form and the flag. This option is less common because most families work through a funeral home or Post Office, but it is available.
• Online: The form can be downloaded from the VA website at va.gov. However, the flag itself must still be picked up in person at a Post Office or VA office.

Who Can Request the Flag

The flag may be requested by the next of kin, the funeral director handling the arrangements, or a close friend or associate of the veteran. There is no strict requirement that the requester be a family member. In cases where a veteran has no surviving family, a fellow veteran, a neighbor, or a representative from a veterans service organization may request the flag on their behalf.

The requester will need to provide proof of the veteran's military service. The DD-214 is the standard document, but other forms of proof may be accepted, including discharge papers from the National Guard or Reserve, service records from the National Personnel Records Center, or a letter from the VA confirming service. If documentation is not immediately available, some Post Offices and VA offices will issue the flag based on a signed statement from the next of kin while documentation is being obtained.

Flag Details and Specifications

The burial flag provided by the VA is a full-size United States flag measuring 5 feet by 9.5 feet. This is the standard interment flag size, larger than the typical 3-by-5-foot flags sold commercially for home display. The larger size is necessary to properly drape a casket.

Burial flags are manufactured from either cotton or nylon. Both materials are considered equally acceptable. The flag is identical in design to any other United States flag with 50 stars and 13 stripes. There are no special markings, insignia, or text that distinguish it as a burial flag. It is simply a standard American flag provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the specific purpose of honoring a veteran's service at their funeral.

The VA issues one flag per eligible veteran. Additional flags are not provided for display at the funeral home, cemetery, or reception. Families who wish to have additional flags at the service will need to purchase them separately. The VA-issued flag is intended specifically for casket draping or urn accompaniment and subsequent presentation to the next of kin.

Proper Display and Folding During the Funeral

The burial flag is draped over the closed casket before the funeral service begins. Proper placement follows a specific protocol that honors both the flag and the veteran:

• The blue union field (the section with the stars) is placed at the head of the casket, over the veteran's left shoulder. This positioning ensures the union is in the position of honor.
• The flag should cover the casket fully, with the stripes running along the length of the casket and the flag draped evenly on both sides.
• If the casket is open for viewing before the service, the flag is typically folded and placed nearby, then draped over the casket after the viewing is complete and the casket is closed.
• For cremation services where an urn is used, the flag is folded and displayed next to the urn on a stand or table.

The Triangular Fold

At the conclusion of the graveside service or funeral ceremony, the flag is removed from the casket and folded into the ceremonial triangular shape. This folding is performed by the military honor guard or, in the absence of an honor guard, by the funeral home staff. The folding process involves 13 folds, each with symbolic meaning rooted in American tradition, resulting in a tight triangular shape that displays only the blue field with white stars.

Presentation to Next of Kin

After folding, the flag is presented to the next of kin. When military honors are rendered, the presenting service member kneels before the recipient, looks them in the eye, and says: "On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States [branch of service], and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service." This moment is often the most emotional part of a military funeral. The flag is presented to the surviving spouse first. If there is no surviving spouse, it goes to the next of kin in order: children, parents, siblings, or other close relatives.

What Happens After the Funeral

After the funeral service, the folded burial flag belongs to the next of kin. There are several respectful ways to handle the flag going forward:

• Display in a flag case: The most popular option is to place the folded flag in a triangular display case, sometimes called a shadow box or memorial case. These cases are made from wood and glass, protecting the flag from dust, humidity, and sunlight while keeping it visible. Many families place the case on a mantle, bookshelf, or dedicated memorial shelf alongside the veteran's service photos and medals. Flag cases can be purchased at most home goods stores, military surplus shops, and online retailers.
• Donation to a veteran organization: Some families choose to donate the burial flag to a local veterans organization such as a VFW post, American Legion chapter, or a veterans memorial in their community. This can be a meaningful choice when the veteran was active in these organizations during their lifetime.
• Pass to another family member: If the primary recipient wants to share the honor, the flag can be passed to another family member, such as a grandchild who served in the military or a family member who was especially close to the veteran.

If the Flag Becomes Worn or Damaged

Over time, a burial flag may fade, fray, or become damaged from exposure. When a flag reaches a condition where it is no longer a fitting symbol of the nation, it should be retired with dignity. The United States Flag Code (4 U.S.C. Section 8) states that a flag in such condition should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in a respectful ceremony.

Families should not attempt to dispose of a worn flag casually by putting it in the trash or recycling. Instead, contact a local VFW post, American Legion chapter, or Boy Scouts of America troop. These organizations regularly conduct formal flag retirement ceremonies where worn flags are retired with proper honors. Many funeral homes in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, among other states, also accept worn flags for proper retirement. The important thing is that the flag is treated with the same respect it was given at the funeral.

Replacement Policy

The VA does not replace burial flags once they have been issued. Each eligible veteran is entitled to one burial flag, and there is no program for issuing a second flag after the funeral has taken place. This is an important detail that families should understand before the service.

If the flag is damaged or lost before the funeral service takes place, contact the VA regional office or U.S. Post Office that issued it immediately. In most cases, a replacement can be arranged if the original flag was never used in a ceremony. The key is acting quickly before the scheduled service date.

After the funeral, there is no mechanism to obtain a replacement from the VA. If the flag is damaged by flooding, fire, or other events after the service, the family may choose to purchase a new 5-by-9.5-foot interment flag from a flag retailer, but it will not carry the same official VA provenance. For this reason, many families invest in a quality display case immediately after the funeral to protect the flag for decades to come.

Frequently Asked Questions About VA Burial Flags

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• Veterans Funeral Benefits 2026: Complete Guide
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• Funeral Planning Glossary