Flags in mourning in Denmark

In Denmark, the flag at half-mast is part of the way mourning is shown: in the garden when a family member has died, at the church during the funeral and on public buildings after national tragedies. The customs are not set by law for private individuals, but they are described in detail by Dannebrogs-Samfundet and widely known. This guide brings together the occasions on which the flag is flown in mourning and the customs for each of them.

Occasions

Deaths

Flag flying after a death normally takes place on the day of the death. If the death occurs late in the day, shortly before sunset, the flag can also fly at half-mast the following day according to Dannebrogs-Samfundet, and if it occurs after sunset, the flag flies the following day. Local traditions can be decisive. According to Dannebrogs-Samfundet, flying the flag at half-mast in connection with a death takes precedence over flying it at full mast.

Funerals and cremation services

On the day of the funeral or cremation service, the flag flies at half-mast, both at the church and often at home. Once the coffin has been lowered into the ground or the hearse has left the church, the flag is raised to full mast and stays up until sunset. It is up to the church and the parish council when the flag is flown from the church’s flagpole.

Dannebrog on the coffin

If the family wishes, the coffin can be covered with Dannebrog. Dannebrogs-Samfundet describes the custom as follows:

• The two square red fields lie over the head end of the coffin.
• An ordinary Dannebrog flag is used, provided by the family.
• The flag is not covered by a flower arrangement, but flowers from the closest family can be laid on the flag.
• No earth is thrown on the flag; it is folded back to the head end before the earth is cast.
• The flag is not buried or cremated with the coffin. It is folded and handed to the family.

No black ribbons

According to Dannebrogs-Samfundet, Dannebrog does not show mourning. No crape, black ribbons or other black marking is therefore put on the flag, not even on bus flags or banners. Mourning is shown solely by flying the flag at half-mast.

National days of mourning

The Ministry of Justice can order extraordinary flag flying at half-mast for state authorities, for example after terrorist attacks or natural disasters in Denmark or abroad. Private individuals and businesses are under no obligation to follow, but many do. If several flags are flown together, the order described in the guide to flag protocol applies.

Where the flag sits and how it is first raised to the top is described in the guide to half-mast.