Get VA 21-2008 2005-2023

Flag Folding Ceremony The flag is placed on a closed casket so the union blue field is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. After Taps is played, the flag is carefully folded into the symbolic tri-cornered shape.

For many, a full funeral with a burial service provides the most effective way to mourn the loss of a loved one, get closure, and deal with their grief. Witnessing the coffin being lowered into the ground often gives people the closure they need during that time and is seen by many as a proper goodbye.

A United States burial casket flag drapes the casket of deceased veterans to honor the memory of their service to the country. The ceremonial folding and presentation of the flag is a moving tribute of lasting importance to the veteran's family.

Today, for most Americans, it is considered “traditional” to use a funeral home, embalm the body, and bury it in a casket and vault in a public cemetery. But few of these traditional elements are required by law, and families do have a wide range of choices.

It has been used to prevent the odor of decay, to give family members closure and prevent them from witnessing the decomposition of their loved ones, and in many cultures it has been seen as a necessary step for the deceased to enter the afterlife or to give back to the cycle of life.

The Six Types of Burial Options In-Ground Burial. Above Ground Burial in a Community Mausoleum. Above Ground Burial in a Lawn Crypt. Cremation. Above Ground Burial in a Private Mausoleum. Natural Burial.

A burial service is usually a short ceremony held after the main funeral service as the coffin is lowered into the ground. Mourners are often invited to attend the burial, which may include short readings and prayers, depending on religious beliefs.

“On behalf of the president of the United States, (the United States Army; the United States Marine Corps; the United States Navy; the United States Air Force or the United States Coast Guard), and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful ...