Why Does the Post Office Carry the Military Flags?

March 19, 2024

Why does the VA send out military burial flags via the USPS? Get the answers in this post.

When a member or veteran of the United States military dies, a military flag is issued to the surviving family members. This is one of the most significant ways in which our country honors its fallen service men and women. The flag is typically dispatched to the family, or directly to the funeral home, via the United States Postal Service - but have you ever stopped to wonder why this is the case?


There’s a simple explanation for it. The military burial flags are sent out by the Department of Veteran Affairs, and more than half a million of them are dispatched every single year! What’s more, these flags are sent to family members wherever they are, which sometimes means sending those burial flags internationally.


When the VA started this ambitious program, they needed a partner that was capable of meeting this demand - not just promptly delivering so many flags each year, but getting them to their destinations domestically as well as to locations overseas.


Simply put, only one government agency has that kind of reach, and it’s the United States Postal Service. That’s why this partnership came about, and thus far it seems like it’s been a fruitful one.


In fact, you can visit the USPS website to learn more about requesting a burial flag for your loved one. And if you have any other questions or inquiries about this program, don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest branch of the VFW or the American Legion. Finally, a funeral home director who has experience with military funeral services can provide you with some additional direction and insight.



Burial flags are an important way to mark the passing of service members, so don’t hesitate to seek the answers to any questions you may have!

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