Veteran Flag Display Case: How to Choose a Burial Flag Case

A veteran's burial flag measures 5 by 9.5 feet, and it is folded into a triangle with only the blue field showing. To display it, you need a case made for a burial (casket) flag. Cases sold for smaller flags will not hold it. The VA provides the flag free of charge but cannot replace it if it is lost, stolen or damaged, so a case that protects it from light, moisture and handling is worth choosing carefully.

What size case does a burial flag need?

Burial flags used for military honors at Arlington National Cemetery measure 5 by 9.5 feet. Folded, the flag becomes a thick triangle, which is why cases are sold specifically for "burial flags" or "casket flags."

Some things to check before you buy:

• Read the listing for the flag size it is made for. Look for 5 by 9.5 feet, not a smaller home or display flag.
• Compare the interior dimensions to your folded flag. If you already have the flag, measure it folded, so you know the real size. If you are buying before the funeral, choose a case labeled for burial flags and confirm the return policy.
• Check the depth. A folded flag is bulky. A case that is too shallow will press the fabric against the glass, and one that is too deep lets it slump.

What to look for in a flag case

Cases range from basic to custom-made, and price does not always track quality. These are the features that affect how well the flag is protected.

• Glazing with UV protection. Light fades and weakens fabric. UV is only part of what damages fabric, since visible light contributes too, so glazing is only part of the answer. The National Park Service notes that "98% UV filtered" claims are often vague about what range they cover. Ask the seller what the glass or acrylic actually filters, and don't rely on wording like "protective."
• Glass or acrylic. Both are common. Acrylic is lighter, which matters for wall mounting, while glass scratches less easily. Either can work if the glazing filters UV.
• Sturdy, stable materials. Solid wood and well-made frames hold their shape. Conservators recommend acid-free, unbuffered materials for textiles, so ask what the backing and any padding are made of.
• A backing that holds the flag in place. The flag should sit snugly without being crushed, with the blue field facing out.
• A secure mount. A case with a folded flag inside can be heavy. Use wall anchors or hardware rated for the weight, or choose a stand for a shelf or table.
• A way to open the case. Choose a back panel or door that opens, so you can take the flag out to check it or move it.

Extras such as LED lighting, engraved plaques and medal compartments are a matter of taste. If you add lights, choose ones that do not produce heat, and keep them off when nobody is looking at the flag.

How to care for a flag on display

The display location matters as much as the case.

• Keep it out of direct sunlight. Choose a wall or shelf away from windows. UV-filtering glazing reduces light damage but doesn't stop it.
• Keep the air dry. The National Park Service recommends keeping textiles below 65 percent relative humidity, ideally 50 to 55 percent, because mold growth on textiles is noted above 50 percent and spreads fast above 80 percent. Avoid basements, bathrooms and exterior walls that get damp, and let some air circulate around the case.
• Don't press the flag against the glass. Moisture on the surface can transfer to the fabric.
• Avoid tape, cardboard and other non-archival materials. The National Park Service's flag storage guidance calls for acid-free, unbuffered tissue and cotton fabric.
• Keep it indoors. The VA says not to leave the flag outside for long periods.
• Keep everything else off the flag. VA flag guidance says nothing should be placed on or attached to the flag, and that it should not be used to hold or carry anything. Pins from medals or patches can tear the fabric.

Can I display medals and photos with the flag?

Yes, as long as they sit beside the flag and not on it. Combination cases, sometimes called shadow boxes, pair the triangular flag compartment with a separate glass-front section for medals, ribbons, insignia, a photo or a folded obituary. This also keeps the service record in one place, which can help younger relatives understand it later.

Ask the seller whether the medal section is sealed from the flag section and whether it comes with mounting pins or a backing board you can adapt. Do not add items that could shed moisture or acid onto the flag.

If the veteran was cremated, some families place the flag in a case next to an urn or memorial. Our guide on military urns covers the options.

How do I get a burial flag from the VA?

The VA provides "a United States flag to drape on a casket (or coffin) or place with an urn" in honor of a Veteran or Reservist's service. The flag is free.

Who qualifies. The veteran's service generally needs to have ended with an other-than-dishonorable discharge. The VA lists service during wartime, death on active duty after May 27, 1941, service after January 31, 1955, and certain Selected Reserve and Philippine military service. Those who received a dishonorable discharge are not eligible. The VA form has the full list of exceptions.

Who receives it. After the funeral, the flag goes to the next of kin as a keepsake. The VA's order of precedence is:

1. Surviving spouse
2. Children, according to age
3. Parents, including adoptive, step and foster parents
4. Brothers or sisters
5. Uncles or aunts
6. Nephews or nieces
7. Others, such as cousins or grandparents

If there is no next of kin, the VA will give the flag to a friend who asks for it.

How to apply.

1. Get VA Form 27-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes, from VA.gov.
2. Attach a copy of the veteran's discharge papers, such as a DD Form 214. If you can't provide them, the VA form says a flag may be issued with a statement from a person of established character who personally knows the deceased was an eligible veteran.
3. Submit it to a funeral director, a VA regional office, or a US post office (call ahead to confirm the post office can help). The form's own instructions name VA regional offices and post offices.
4. Sign for the flag when it is issued. Only one flag can be issued for each deceased veteran.

For burials in a national, state or military post cemetery, the VA form says the funeral home provides the burial flag. Arlington National Cemetery advises families not to buy a burial flag themselves, since most funeral homes will arrange it at the time of need. Our guide to military honors at a funeral explains who performs the flag folding and presentation.

What if the flag is lost or damaged?

The VA cannot replace a burial flag that is lost, destroyed or stolen, and it says some veterans organizations or community groups may be able to help you get another. That is the main reason to buy a case before the flag sits on a shelf for years.

If a flag is in good condition and you no longer want to keep it, the VA suggests donating it to a national cemetery that has an Avenue of Flags for holiday displays. Flags that are badly worn or torn can go to a Veterans Service Organization for proper retirement. The VA asks people not to send flags back to it. Under the US Flag Code, a flag that is no longer fit for display should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

What to do next

1. Measure the folded flag, or check that the case you are considering is listed for 5 by 9.5 foot burial flags.
2. Choose UV-filtering glazing and a secure mount, and pick a dry spot away from windows.
3. If you never received a flag, use VA Form 27-2008. For other benefits, see our guide to veterans burial benefits, including VA headstones and markers and the Presidential Memorial Certificate.

For the meaning of the triangular fold, read our guide to flag folding.