Do you display a United States Flag at your home? Have you ever wondered what’s the right way to fly your American flag at half staff, and just when is it appropriate? You aren’t alone. Apparently, people have been searching for this information for the last 10+ years online… So let’s take a look at how this should be done.

First off, it’s important to note that American flags on display at residential locations are not required to be lowered to half staff, even when the US President or a state Governor issues a proclamation to lower the US flag. In fact, it is not even expected. The proclamations apply to government properties, state offices, and other public facilities. Which is why we raise and lower the flags at the Veterans Memorial any time word comes out. Even though your home is not government property or a public facility, if you have a flag pole at home, you are welcome to lower your flag as well.

If you have a vertical flag pole with a pulley system, you would follow the same standard procedures (raising to the top quickly, then lowering to the correct position ceremoniously). But what about flags that have a fixed position on the pole? There are a couple of options, actually.

If your flag mount has 2 angles (such as the one seen here, left), as long as the flag won’t touch the ground, you can use the lower mount bracket. In this case, instead of being pointed straight up, the flag will come out approximately parallel to the ground. This method is not as common, but is still recognized as representing the same message.

For those unable to change the angle of the flagpole, another option, particularly during a time of mourning, is to tie a black streamer or bow to the top of the flag. In this case, the streamer should be about the same width as a single stripe on the flag, and at least as long as the flag. It should be be attached right below the spearhead so that it flies freely above the flag itself.

While there are no explicit rules defining the black streamer as proper etiquette, it was originally brought to the public by The American Legion, and has become a widely accepted manner for expressing mourning while displaying the US Flag on private property. There are a number of sources online that mention or describe this method, including the top-voted answer on this StackExchange question and this “Honor The Flag” guide from Event Resources. You may also consider following up with a search of your own – “us flag black streamer” will turn up a lot of stores that sell them, most of which will also explain their purpose in the product listing.

Now that you know how to fly your flag at half staff at home, be sure to check in with www.halfstaff.org and sign up for the email notifications so you can receive notice when and why to adjust your flag. We also have a handy widget here on our website in case you see flags at half staff and wonder why (the widget is national reasons only and does not include any proclamations issued by our governor).