A burial flag is the folded United States flag presented at a veteran's funeral. It isn't automatic — someone has to request it, using a specific form, before or shortly after the funeral. Here's who can ask for one, how the request works, and who ends up keeping it.
Which Veterans Qualify for a Burial Flag?
The veteran or service member must meet one of these conditions:
- Served during a period of war (including WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and later conflicts)
- Died on active duty after May 27, 1941
- Served after January 31, 1955
- Served in peacetime, and either completed at least one enlistment before June 27, 1950, or was discharged for a service-related disability
- Served in the Selected Reserves or, in some cases, Philippine military forces, with specific date requirements
A dishonorable discharge disqualifies a veteran from most VA burial benefits, including the flag. If you're unsure whether a specific discharge status qualifies, the VA regional office can check the veteran's record before you file anything.
Selected Reserve and certain Philippine military service also qualify, subject to their own date requirements — the VA regional office can confirm whether a specific service record meets those rules. If paperwork from the veteran's service is missing, lost, or reflects a later discharge upgrade, the regional office can typically verify eligibility against military records rather than requiring you to produce the originals yourself.
Who Can Request the Flag?
VA Form 27-2008, "Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes," allows the next of kin or a close friend of the deceased to apply. In practice, most families never fill this out themselves — the funeral home handles it as part of arranging the service, the same way it handles VA Form 21P-530EZ for the burial allowance. If you're managing the arrangements without a funeral director, you can file it yourself.
How Do You Get the Form and Submit It?
The form is available for download on VA.gov and costs nothing to file. Once completed, submit it to one of three places:
- A funeral director — the most common route; most funeral homes file it automatically when they know the deceased was a veteran
- A VA regional office — in person or by mail
- A local U.S. post office — call ahead, since not every branch keeps flags in stock or handles the paperwork
There's no separate fee for the flag itself. If you're working with a funeral home, ask directly whether they've already filed the request — it's easy to assume it's handled and find out later that it wasn't.
When Should You Apply?
Apply as soon as you know the funeral date, ideally several days ahead, so the flag arrives in time for the service. A flag can also be requested for a memorial service held without a body present, and for burials that happened years ago if no flag was issued at the time — though older cases usually require more documentation, like a copy of the discharge papers (DD Form 214) and death certificate.
If the funeral is being held at a VA national cemetery, cemetery staff can often coordinate the flag alongside funeral honors and burial scheduling, which simplifies the timing. That's also a good moment to confirm whether the family has already completed a pre-need burial eligibility determination, since it can speed up every other piece of paperwork tied to the service, including the flag.
Does the Flag Cover the Casket, or Is It Separate From Other Cemetery Items?
The burial flag is distinct from anything issued for the gravesite itself, like a headstone or marker. It travels with the family, not the cemetery. If the burial happens at a national cemetery, the flag is typically presented to the next of kin at the end of the service rather than left at the site. For a burial at a private cemetery, the same rule applies — the funeral director hands the folded flag to the family once the service concludes.
If more than one family member wants a flag as a keepsake, ask the funeral director or VA regional office directly about your options before the service — availability can vary by situation, and it's easier to sort out in advance than after the fact.
Who Keeps the Flag After the Funeral?
The flag doesn't get buried with the casket. After being used to drape the casket or accompany the urn during the service, it's folded and presented to a family member — typically whoever requested it, or the person designated as next of kin at the service. There's no requirement to display it publicly; many families store it in a shadow box or keep it folded in its original packaging.
If there's no surviving family and no one to claim the flag, the funeral director or the organization handling burial can request one for the ceremony, but it usually stays with whoever conducted the service rather than going unclaimed.
What to Do About It
- Confirm eligibility first. Check the veteran's discharge status and service dates against the criteria above, or call a VA regional office if you're unsure.
- Ask the funeral home whether they've filed VA Form 27-2008. If they're handling other paperwork, this is usually bundled in.
- If you're filing it yourself, download the form from VA.gov, fill it out, and bring it to a funeral director, VA regional office, or post office — call the post office first to confirm they can process it.
- Apply early. A few days of lead time avoids a last-minute scramble before the service.
- Decide who keeps the flag before the service, especially in blended families, so there's no confusion afterward.
- For a burial that already happened without a flag, gather the DD Form 214 and death certificate before applying — older claims typically need more documentation than a current-year request.
The burial flag is one of the more straightforward VA benefits to claim, but it's also one that gets missed when families are focused on bigger logistics. A five-minute check with the funeral director closes the gap.