How Long to Fly Flag at Half Staff
Here’s the quick answer: the flag stays at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of the order—unless it’s for a longer, nationally declared period. For example, after the death of a current or former president, it’s 30 days. For a Supreme Court justice? 10 days. And for a routine memorial like Peace Officers Memorial Day? Just one day—sunrise to sunset.
But wait—there’s a twist! On Memorial Day, the flag is at half-staff from sunrise until noon, then raised to full staff until sunset. It’s like a little patriotic choreography: mourn in the morning, celebrate by afternoon. See? Rules can have a sense of drama.
How to Know When to Hoist (and Lower) Like a Pro
You don’t have to memorize a hundred dates. The U.S. government issues presidential proclamations for major events, and your governor can order half-staff for state tragedies. Pro tip: bookmark a flag-tracking site or follow a local veterans group on social media. They’ll ping you faster than your Aunt Karen sends cat memes.
And here’s the secret superpower: you can always fly a flag at half-staff on your own property for personal mourning. Your neighbor won’t call the etiquette police. In fact, doing it with intention makes ordinary days feel meaningful—you’re literally lifting a symbol of respect for someone or something that matters.
The Ultimate Guide to Flying the United States Flag at Half-staff