Flag protocol at ceremonies in Sweden

On formal occasions, such as inaugurations, anniversaries, National Day celebrations, state visits and funerals, flags and banners are used according to a stricter protocol than for everyday flag flying. Some of the rules come from the Swedish Armed Forces, others from long tradition. Here is an overview.

Flag, banner and standard

• The flag (flagga) is a flag cloth raised on a flagpole.
• The banner (fana) is a flag cloth fixed to a staff and carried, for example by a banner bearer in a procession. According to Riksarkivet, the Swedish banner has set dimensions: 100 centimetres high and 160 centimetres long, the same proportions as the flag.
• A standard (standar) is a smaller, often square banner used by, for example, orders, associations and military units.

Banners are carried above all by associations, trade unions, schools, orders and the Swedish Armed Forces. More about different kinds of flags in the guide to flag types.

Raising the flag at ceremonies

When the flag is raised or lowered during a ceremony, it is part of the formalities.

• Military personnel in uniform stop and salute the flag when it is raised or lowered at ceremonies, under the Swedish Armed Forces’ regulations on flag flying. Armed units may present arms instead.
• Civilians are not covered by any regulation, but it is established custom to stand still, face the flag and be silent until it has been raised.
• It is worth bearing in mind that a flag that gets tangled in the middle of a ceremony is noticed, and many therefore rehearse the raising beforehand.

Otherwise the same recommendations apply as for other flag flying, see flag rules.

The place of honour

According to Riksarkivet, the Swedish flag always has the place of honour at ceremonies with several flags. The place of honour is determined from the front of the flagpoles, with one’s back to the building. With an odd number of poles it is the middle pole; with an even number, the pole immediately to the right of the middle. The other national flags are raised in alphabetical order of the countries’ Swedish names, from the place of honour outwards, alternately to the right and to the left, and in the same size. Riksarkivet’s examples for two to eleven poles are in the guide to foreign flags in Sweden.

Banners at funerals

The Swedish Association of Funeral Directors (Sveriges Begravningsbyråers Förbund) describes the custom at funerals where banner bearers take part:

• The Swedish banner is placed to the right of the coffin, as seen with one’s back to the altar. Association banners and standards are placed to the left.
• The colour guard is in place in the chancel before the family and guests come in.
• The banner bearers lower the banners when the congregation rises and during the committal.
• In processions, the colour guard goes first.
• The association’s own banner often carries a mourning ribbon, while under older rules the Swedish banner does not.

At military funerals, where the flag can be draped over the coffin, there are special rules for how it is folded and handed to the family. More about mourning in the guide to flags in mourning.

Things to consider before a ceremony