Half-mast in Brazil: when and how

In Brazil, the flag at half-mast has a name of its own in the law: the flag in mourning (bandeira em funeral). Under article 17 of Law 5,700 of 1 September 1971, a flag in mourning flies at half-mast or at half-halyard. Article 18 lists the situations in which this happens, and article 14 makes raising the flag compulsory on days of national mourning at all public offices, schools and trade unions. This guide summarises when the flag flies at half-mast and how it is raised.

The situations in article 18

Under article 18, the national flag is flown in mourning in the following situations, provided they do not coincide with days of national celebration:

1. throughout the country, when the President of the Republic decrees official mourning;
2. at the seats of the federal, state or municipal legislatures, when their presidents so decide, on the death of one of their members;
3. at the Supreme Federal Court, the higher courts, the audit courts of the Union, the states, the Federal District and the municipalities and the state courts of justice, when their presidents so decide, on the death of one of their judges or councillors;
4. at the seats of the governments of the states, the Federal District and the municipalities, on the death of the governor or mayor, when official mourning is decreed by the authority replacing them;
5. at the seats of diplomatic missions, according to the rules and customs of the country in which they are located.

Official mourning throughout the country is the most visible case. The guide on official mourning explains how it is decreed, how long it lasts and gives a recent example.

How the flag is raised and lowered

Article 17 describes the procedure: when the flag in mourning is raised or lowered, it is first taken to the top. In the morning, it goes up to the top and then down to half height; at the end of the day, it goes back to the top before being lowered. The law does not set an exact measure for half height on the pole or the halyard, the hoisting line.

The times are the same as on other days: under article 15, the flag is normally raised at 8 a.m. and lowered at 6 p.m. When several flags are raised together, the national flag is the first to reach the top and the last to come down (article 16).

In a march and on coffins

When the flag is carried in a march, in a parade or procession, mourning is shown by a crape bow tied next to the spearhead (sole paragraph of article 17). The flag may also be spread over coffins until burial (article 11(VI)). Under article 82 of Decree 70,274 of 1972, at the funeral of a President of the Republic the coffin is covered with the national flag.

Days of national celebration

The flag does not fly at half-mast on days of national celebration, even during a period of official mourning: article 18 applies only "provided they do not coincide with days of national celebration". On those days the flag is raised to the top. The dates are in the guide to flag days.

Diplomatic missions

Abroad, Brazilian diplomatic missions follow the rules and customs of the country in which they are located (article 18(V)). Under article 89(5) of Decree 70,274, when a foreign head of state dies, the Brazilian mission in that country may fly the flag at half-mast without waiting for the official notice of the mourning decree.

Private persons and businesses

The law regulates mourning at public buildings and missions. Private persons and businesses may use the flag in private expressions (articles 10 and 11), and the law does not prohibit them from following official mourning, as long as the symbol is shown due respect. On a pole without a halyard, such as a fixed wall pole, half height is not possible; the guide to flagpole mechanics covers hoisting systems.