When flying the flag at half staff, the flag should be raised to the top of the staff for an instant then lowered to the mid-way point of the staff (half staff). It should be raised to the top of the staff again before lowering the flag at the end of the day. The flag is flown at half staff from sunrise until noon on Memorial Day. It is then flown at full staff for the remainder of the day.

In the event of the death of principal figures of the United States government and the governor of the state, territory or possession, the president may order the flag to be flown at half staff as respect for their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is displayed at half staff in accordance with recognized customers or practices, not inconsistant with law.

The governor of a state, territory or possession of the United States may proclaim that the national flag be flown at half staff in the event of the death of a present or past former offical of that state, territory or possesion.