The Meaning Of Each Fold In The American Flag Ceremony

mdaviscvono
Sep 8
4 min read

By Rob Carroll, Updated 01:33 AM PDT, Sat August 30, 2025

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

Symbol of life
Belief in eternal life
Remembrance of a departing veteran
Represents trust in God
Tribute to country
Allegiance to flag
Tribute to the Armed Forces
Honor of mother
Tribute to womanhood
Tribute to father
“Lower portion of the deal of King David and King Solomon”
Represents the emblem of eternity
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.

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.

“Please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.” The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.” The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded. The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born. The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.” After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it has the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under Gen. George Washington and the sailors and Marines who served under Capt. John Paul Jones and were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the U.S. Armed Forces, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today. #education#usa#veteran#flag#america♬ Snow on the Beach – siti maesaroh

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.”

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