Coffin Drape Protocol for UK Military Funerals

The Correct Flag Position

The Union Flag must be positioned with the canton — the blue rectangle featuring the crosses of St George, St Andrew, and St Patrick — at the head of the coffin, over the left shoulder of the deceased.

This is the single most important rule of coffin drape protocol, and it is the one most frequently got wrong. The Union Flag is not symmetrical: the broader white stripe of the St Andrew's cross sits above the red stripe of the St Patrick's cross on the side nearest the flagpole (or, on a coffin, nearest the canton). Placing the flag upside down or reversed is considered a serious breach of etiquette.

The standard coffin drape is typically 8 feet × 5 feet (approximately 2.4m × 1.5m). It should cover the coffin fully from the head to the foot, with the edges hanging evenly on both sides.

What Can Rest on the Flag

Very few items are permitted to sit directly on the Union Flag:

• A poppy wreath
• The deceased's service cap
• The deceased's belt
• For officers or warrant officers: their sword or pace stick

Nothing else should be placed on the flag. Family flowers, photographs, or other personal items go beside the coffin, not on it.

All items resting on the flag must be removed before burial or cremation. The funeral director or a senior officer is responsible for collecting them and returning them to the family.

The White Ensign Option

Royal Navy veterans may have their coffin draped with the White Ensign — the red cross of St George on a white field, with the Union Flag in the canton — instead of the standard Union Flag. This is not automatic and must be formally requested through the Royal Naval Association (RNA) or Veterans UK.

The same positioning rules apply: canton at the head, over the left shoulder. The same restrictions on items resting on the flag also apply.

For Royal Marines, the standard is the Union Flag.

The Flat Lid Rule

If the family plans to display the service cap, sword, pace stick, or medals cushion on top of the coffin, the coffin must have a flat lid. Curved or raised lids will cause these items to slide off, creating an undignified scene during the procession or service.

This needs to be confirmed with the funeral director when selecting the coffin. It is an easy detail to overlook but one that causes real problems on the day if missed.

Common Draping Mistakes

The most frequent errors funeral directors and families encounter:

Reversed canton. The flag is placed upside down, with the narrower white stripe above the red. In some lighting and at some distances, the difference is subtle — but veterans in attendance will notice immediately.

Flag too small. A standard flag (3×5 feet) does not adequately cover a full-size coffin. The drape should be the ceremonial 8×5 foot size, available from the MoD (for serving personnel) or purchased from military suppliers.

Items left on during cremation. The service cap, medals cushion, and any other items must be removed before the curtains close or the coffin is lowered. This is the funeral director's responsibility, but the family should confirm the arrangement in advance.

Regimental flags used incorrectly. Regimental colours and unit flags are not typically used as coffin drapes. They may be displayed on a stand near the coffin or carried in the procession, but the coffin drape is always the Union Flag (or White Ensign for qualifying RN veterans).

Getting It Right

The coffin drape is one of the most visible elements of a military funeral. Every veteran in attendance will know the correct positioning, and errors — however well-intentioned — are immediately apparent. Briefing the funeral director with the exact specifications avoids embarrassment on the day.

Our Military Funeral — UK guide includes drape positioning diagrams and a pre-service checklist that funeral directors can use to verify every detail before the cortege departs.