Why American Flags Are Folded Into Triangles for Veteran Funerals

If you have ever been to a service honoring a military veteran, chances are you’ve seen a flag draped over a casket that was later folded into a triangle.

There is significance to the triangle, along with every single fold it takes to make it.

What Are The 13 Folds Of Honor?

The folding ceremony at a funeral is similar to what is done daily by the U.S. Armed Forces when they lower the American flag at night during the “ceremony of retreat.” Military.com describes the practice as one that leads to the flag being watched overnight “as a tribute to our nation’s honored dead.”

The flag is specifically folded 13 times to create the triangle. Each fold has a special meaning according to the website.

Fold Meanings

1. Symbol of life
2. Belief in eternal life
3. Remembrance of a departing veteran
4. Represents trust in God
5. Tribute to country
6. Allegiance to flag
7. Tribute to the Armed Forces
8. Honor of mother
9. Tribute to womanhood
10. Tribute to father
11. “Lower portion of the deal of King David and King Solomon”
12. Represents the emblem of eternity
13. Reminder of “In God We Trust” motto

Both Military.com and The American Legion say that while the tradition is closely followed, its origin is unclear. Today, the recitation of words explaining the ceremony is optional for most services.

One thing that is common, however, is the flag always being folded into a triangle that is similar to the cocked hat worn by George Washington and others during the Revolutionary War.

You Probably Don’t Know Where Funeral Homes Get The Flags

Funeral homes are responsible for acquiring the flags for services honoring veterans. The process is more involved than buying a flag at the store or waiting for someone to show up from one of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Melissa Jo is quickly approaching 1 million followers on her @funeralbabe TikTok account. The mortician shares stories and advice culled from her years in the funeral business.

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She says the flag is a “special flag” that her funeral home needs to apply for through the VA

“They are absolutely huge,” Melissa says in a recent video explaining the flag process.

She lets the viewer follow along as she makes the request, which includes filling out a form and turning it into the local post office, where they give her the flag. Not all post offices, however, carry the flags.

Proper Way To Drape A Flag On A Casket

There is also a right and wrong way to drape a U.S. flag on a casket to honor the memory of a service member or veteran.

According to Military One Source, proper etiquette calls for draping the flag so the union blue field is over the head and left shoulder of the deceased.

The process is obviously much different when the body has been cremated and there is an urn during the ceremony.

“The lead body bearer carries the folded flag to the right of the urn,” the website says. “Once the urn comes to rest, the body bearers unfold the flag and hold it at the pall over the cremated remains.”