View source for Half-mast

{{Short description|Flag flying below the summit of a ship mast, a pole on land, or a pole on a building}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2020}}

[[File:Half raised flag.jpg|thumb|The [[Flag of Finland|Finnish flag]] flying at half-mast after the [[2011 Norway attacks]]]]
[[File:Buchenwald American Flag 23060.jpg|thumb|The American flag flying at half-mast in [[Buchenwald concentration camp|Buchenwald]], [[Thuringia]], [[Nazi Germany]], on 19 April 1945 after the death of US President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin Roosevelt]]]]
'''Half-mast''' or '''half-staff''' ([[American English]]) refers to a flag flying below the summit of a ship mast, a pole on land, or a pole on a building. In many countries this is seen as a symbol of [[respect]], [[mourning]], [[distress signal|distress]], or, in some cases, a [[salute]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/xf-half.html|title=Flags at half mast|website=www.crwflags.com}}</ref>

The tradition of flying the flag at half-mast began in the 17th century.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Trex |first1=Ethan |title=Why are flags flown at half-staff in times of mourning? |url=https://news.yahoo.com/why-flags-flown-half-staff-times-mourning-084500721.html |access-date=22 June 2015 |work=[[The Week]] |date=20 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224221645/http://news.yahoo.com/why-flags-flown-half-staff-times-mourning-084500721.html |archive-date=2012-12-24}}</ref> According to some sources, the flag is lowered to make room for an "invisible flag of death" flying above.<ref>Bartram, G., [http://www.naco.uk.com/docs/presentations/flagprotocol.pdf A Guide to Flag Protocol in the United Kingdom] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811002910/http://www.naco.uk.com/docs/presentations/flagprotocol.pdf |date=11 August 2013 }}, an extract from the book ''British Flags and Emblems'', The Flag Institute.</ref> However, there is disagreement about where on a flagpole a flag should be when it is at half-mast. It is often recommended that a flag at half-mast be lowered only as much as the hoist, or width, of the flag.<ref>{{cite web|title=What is the proper etiquette for lowering the flag to half staff?|url=http://www.flagshop.com/faq.php#Q13|publisher=The Flag Shop|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref><ref name=newton>{{cite web|title=Basic Flag Protocol and Etiquette|url=https://www.newtonnewtonflags.com/protocol-etiquette.htm|publisher=Newton Newton Flag & Banner Makers Limited|access-date=29 May 2017|archive-date=29 August 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030829213601/https://www.newtonnewtonflags.com/protocol-etiquette.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> British flag protocol is that a flag should be flown no less than two-thirds of the way up the flagpole, with at least the height of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the pole.<ref>{{cite web|title=Flags at half-staff|url=https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/british-flags/flying-flags-in-the-united-kingdom/british-flag-protocol/#index21|publisher=The Flag Institute}}</ref> It is common for the phrase to be taken literally and for a flag to be flown only halfway up a flagpole,<ref name=flagco>{{cite web|title=What is the proper procedure to fly your flag at half-staff?|url=http://www.amflagaz.com/half-staff-procedure-ordering-for-citizen.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035536/http://www.amflagaz.com/half-staff-procedure-ordering-for-citizen.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 December 2017|publisher=American Flag & Pole Co.|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> although some authorities deprecate that practice.<ref name=newton/>

When hoisting a flag that is to be displayed at half-mast, it should be raised to the [[finial]] of the pole for an instant, then lowered to half-mast. Likewise, when the flag is lowered at the end of the day, it should be hoisted to the finial for an instant, and then lowered.<ref name=flagco/>

== Half-Mast in different countries, regions and institutions ==

=== Australia ===
[[File:AU NavalEnsignHalfMast.JPG|thumb|The [[Australian White Ensign]] flying at half-mast. In accordance with British [[tradition]], the flag is flying only one flag's width below the top of the pole.]]

The [[flag of Australia]] is flown half-mast in Australia:
*On the death of the [[Monarch of Australia|sovereign]] – from the time of announcement of the death up to and including the funeral. On the day the accession of the new sovereign is proclaimed, it is customary to raise the flag to the peak from 11{{nbsp}}a.m.;
*On the death of a member of a royal family;
*On the death of the [[Governor-General of Australia|governor-general]] or a former governor-general;
*On the death of the head of state of another country with which Australia has diplomatic relations – the flag would be flown on the day of the funeral;
*On [[ANZAC day]] the flag is flown half-mast until noon;
*On [[Remembrance Day]] flags are flown at peak until 10:30{{nbsp}}am, at half-mast from 10:30{{nbsp}}am to 11:03{{nbsp}}am, then at peak the remainder of the day;
*On the death of a distinguished Australian citizen. Flags in any locality may be flown at half-mast on the death of a notable local citizen or on the day, or part of the day, of their funeral. Recent examples include the death of naturalist [[Steve Irwin]], actor [[Heath Ledger]], esteemed international opera singer [[Dame Joan Sutherland]], and former Prime Minister [[Gough Whitlam]]. In the case of cricketer [[Phillip Hughes]], who died after being struck by a [[bouncer (cricket)|bouncer]] during a [[Sheffield Shield]] [[cricket]] match, the Australian flag was flown at half-mast at [[Cricket NSW]] headquarters on 27 November 2014 – the day of his death,<ref name=FitzSimons>{{cite news |last1=FitzSimons |first1=Peter |title=There is a way Phillip Hughes' proud legacy can live on |url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/there-is-a-way-phillip-hughes-proud-legacy-can-live-on-20141127-11vkrm.html |access-date=28 November 2014}}</ref> as well as on the [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]]<ref name=Knox>{{cite news |last1=Knox |first1=Malcolm |title=Phillip Hughes a cut above the rest |url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/phillip-hughes-a-cut-above-the-rest-20141128-11w397.html |access-date=28 November 2014 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=28 November 2014}}</ref> and at [[Lord's Cricket Ground]] in London.<ref name="Lord's">{{cite news |title=Phillip Hughes: Tributes flow from international community as flags fly at half-mast at Lord's |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-28/phillip-hughes-tributes-flow-from-international-community/5924122 |access-date=1 December 2014 |issue=ABC News |date=28 November 2014}}</ref>
*At times of natural disaster such as [[bushfires in Australia|bushfires]] or tragedy. For example, in the days immediately following the [[Black Saturday bushfires]], many flags of all types were flown at half-mast in spontaneous acknowledgement of the enormous loss of life; the then [[Prime Minister of Australia|prime minister]] announced that the Australian flag would be flown at half-mast on 7 February, in remembrance of the victims. On 19 July 2014, the Australian flag flew half-mast across the country in tribute to the lives lost in the [[Malaysia Airlines Flight 17]] incident.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/19/mh17-australian-flags-flown-half-mast |title= MH17: Australian flags to be flown at half-mast as nation mourns victims |website= [[TheGuardian.com]] |date= 19 July 2014 }}</ref> On 16 December 2014, flags on all NSW government buildings, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, flew at half-mast after the [[2014 Sydney hostage crisis]].<ref name=Hasham>{{cite news |last1=Hasham |first1=Nicole |title=Sydney siege ends: flags to fly at half mast and floral tributes at Martin Place |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/sydney-siege-ends-flags-to-fly-at-half-mast-and-floral-tributes-at-martin-place-20141215-127yy4.html |access-date=17 December 2014 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=16 December 2014}}</ref><ref name=Remekis>{{cite news |last1=Remeikis |first1=Amy |title=Flags fly at half mast in Queensland to honour Sydney siege victims |url=http://www.smh.com.au/queensland/flags-fly-at-half-mast-in-queensland-to-honour-sydney-siege-victims-20141215-128024.html |access-date=17 December 2014 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=16 December 2014}}</ref>
* On the death of international political friends to the country. Recent examples include President of Vanuatu [[Baldwin Lonsdale]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/sydney-harbour-bridge-australian-flag-flying-halfmast-today/news-story/72ffc59c3a092bb2795b9017c3f9a2e4|title=Why are the flags on the Harbour Bridge half-mast?|work=NewsComAu }}</ref> or former Japanese prime minister [[Shinzo Abe]].{{cn|date=September 2022}}

In Australia and other Commonwealth countries, merchant ships "dip" their ensigns to half-mast when passing an RAN vessel or a ship from the navy of any allied country.

=== Bangladesh ===
The [[flag of Bangladesh]] flew at half-mast on the national mourning day 15 August, the day in which Father of the Nation [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] was murdered with some of his family members by a group of military officers. The national flag is also kept half hoisted on 21 February which is recognised as International Mother's Language Day to pay homage to the martyrs of the [[Bengali language movement]] in 1952, which took place to establish [[Bengali language|''Bangla'']] as the state language of the then [[East Pakistan]] (present-day [[Bangladesh]]).

=== Brazil & Sri Lanka ===

The [[flag of Brazil]] is flown half-mast when [[National day of mourning|national mourning]] is declared by the president. This usually happens when a personality dies, or in the occasion of a tragedy.

Similarly, the [[flag of Sri Lanka]] is nationally flown at half-mast on a national day of mourning.[[File:Chapecoense - Bandeiras a meio mastro.jpg|thumb|The [[Flag of Brazil|Brazilian flag]] flying at half-mast beside the [[Mercosul]] flag in front of the [[National Congress of Brazil]] in memory of the victims of the [[Chapecoense crash]] on 29 November 2016]]

=== Cambodia ===
The [[flag of Cambodia]] flew at half mast upon the death of King-Father [[Norodom Sihanouk]] for seven days, from 15 to 22 October 2012.

=== Canada ===<!-- This section links from [[flag of Canada]] -->
The term ''half-mast'' is the official term used in Canada, according to the Rules For Half-Masting the National Flag of Canada. The decision to fly the flag at half-mast on federal buildings rests with the [[Department of Canadian Heritage]]. Federally, the [[flag of Canada|national flag of Canada]] is flown at half-mast to mark the following occasions:

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! width= width="25%" align="left"|Occasion or date !! width="75%" align="left"|Protocol or significance
|-
| The death of [[Monarchy of Canada|the sovereign]]
| From the time of notification of death until sunset on the day of the funeral or memorial service, but the flag is flown at full-mast on the day which the accession of the new monarch is proclaimed
|-
| The death of any member of the [[Monarchy of Canada#Canada's royal family and house|royal family]], a former governor general, the sitting [[Chief Justice of Canada|chief justice]] of the [[Supreme Court of Canada|Supreme Court]], sitting [[Minister of the Crown|ministers of the Crown]], or a former prime minister
| From the time of notification of death until sunset on the day of the funeral or, if there is to be a memorial service, from the time of notification of death until sunset the following day and from sunrise to sunset on the day of the service
|-
| The death of a [[police officer]] in the line of duty.
| The flag could be flown at half-mast from a couple of days to weeks, depending on the ranking of the officer.
|-
| 28 April of each year
| Marking the Day of Mourning for People Killed or Injured in the Workplace (coinciding with World Day for Safety and Health at Work)
|-
| 23 June of each year
| Marking the [[National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism]]
|-
| Last Sunday in September of each year
| Marking Police Officer's National Memorial Day
|-
| 8 November of each year
| Marking [[National Aboriginal Veterans Day]]
|-
| 11 November of each year
| Marking [[Remembrance Day]]
|-
| 6 December of each year
| Marking the [[National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women]]
|}

Certain events are also marked by flying the national flag at half-mast on the [[Peace Tower]] at [[Parliament Hill]]. These include:
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! width= width="25%" align="left"|Date !! width="75%" align="left"|Significance
|-
| 9 April of each year
| Marking [[Vimy Ridge Day]]
|-
| Varies
| The annual memorial service on Parliament Hill to remember deceased parliamentarians
|}

[[File:Half Masted Bagotville.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The [[flag of Canada]], the [[flag of Québec]], and the flag of the [[Royal Canadian Sea Cadets]] are half-masted on board Bagotville Cadet Summer Training Centre, following the [[Lac-Mégantic derailment|train derailment and explosion in Lac Mégantic, Québec]].]]On occasion discretion can dictate the flying of the national flag at half-mast, not only on the Peace Tower, but on all federal facilities. Some examples include [[September 11 attacks|11 September 2001]], [[Memorials and services for the September 11 attacks|11 September 2002]], the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 Indian Ocean tsunami]], the 2005 [[Mayerthorpe tragedy]], the [[Funeral of Pope John Paul II|death of Pope John Paul II]], the [[7 July 2005 London bombings|2005 London bombings]], the death of [[Ernest Smith|Smokey Smith]], the [[state funeral]]s of former [[President of the United States|U.S. presidents]] [[death and state funeral of Ronald Reagan|Ronald Reagan]], [[death and state funeral of Gerald Ford|Gerald Ford]] and [[death and state funeral of Jimmy Carter|Jimmy Carter]], the death of [[Jack Layton]], the [[2020 Nova Scotia attacks]], and the [[2022 Saskatchewan stabbings]].<ref name="half mast">{{Cite web |access-date=31 March 2008 |url=http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/occasion_e.cfm |title=Rules for Half-masting the National Flag of Canada |publisher=[[Department of Canadian Heritage]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421101709/http://canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/occasion_e.cfm |archive-date=21 April 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Guardian2">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/20/nova-scotia-shooting-friends-family-pay-tribute-victims|title=Nova Scotia shooting: friends and family pay tribute to 'beautiful souls' lost in rampage|work=The Guardian|last=Cecco|first=Leyland|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2022 |title=10 people killed in Sask. stabbing attacks identified by RCMP |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/rcmp-mass-saskatchwan-stabbing-1.6574445 |access-date=September 7, 2022 |website=CBC}}</ref>

There are, however, exceptions to the rules of half-masting in Canada: if [[Victoria Day]] or [[Canada Day]] fall during a period of half-masting, the flags are to be returned to full-mast for the duration of the day. The national flag on the Peace Tower is also hoisted to full mast if a foreign [[head of state]] or [[head of government]] is visiting the parliament. These exemptions, though, do not apply to the period of mourning for the death of a [[Monarchy of Canada|Canadian monarch]]. The [[Royal standards of Canada#The sovereign|Royal Standard of Canada]] also never flies at half-mast, as it is considered representative of the sovereign, who ascends to the throne automatically upon the death of their predecessor. Each province can make its own determination of when to fly the flag at half-mast when provincial leaders or honoured citizens pass away.

To raise a flag in this position, the flag must be flown to the top of the pole first, then brought down halfway before the flag is secured for flying. When such mourning occurs, all flags should be flown at that position or not be flown at all, with the exception of flags permanently attached to poles.<ref>{{Cite news |access-date=31 March 2008 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1901/01/23/archives/grief-in-canada-flags-at-half-mast-everywhere-and-amusement-places.html |title=Flags at Half Mast Everywhere and Amusement Places Closed. |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=23 January 1901}}</ref>

A controversy surfaced in April 2006, when the newly elected [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] government discontinued the practice, initiated by the previous [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] government following the [[Tarnak Farm incident]],<ref name="tarnak">{{Cite news |access-date=31 March 2008 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/yourspace/flag_halfmast.html |title=Conservatives decide not to lower the Canadian flag to fly the flag at half-mast every time a Canadian soldier is killed |publisher=[[CBC.ca|CBC]] |date=1 April 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120115035/http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/yourspace/flag_halfmast.html |archive-date=20 January 2011}}</ref> of flying the flag at half-mast on all government buildings whenever a Canadian soldier was killed in action in [[Canada's role in the invasion of Afghanistan|Afghanistan]].<ref>{{Cite news |access-date=25 March 2008 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/peace-tower-flag-won-t-be-lowered-for-military-deaths-1.579072 |title=Peace Tower flag will not be lowered for military deaths |publisher=[[CBC.ca|CBC]] |date=24 April 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606225332/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/04/24/flag060424.html |archive-date=6 June 2008}}</ref> The issue divided veterans' groups and military families, some of whom supported the return to the original tradition of using Remembrance Day to honour all soldiers killed in action, while others felt it was an appropriate way to honour the fallen and to remind the population of the costs of war.<ref name="tarnak" /> In spite of the federal government's policy, local authorities have often decided to fly the flag at half-mast to honour fallen soldiers who were from their jurisdiction, including [[Toronto]] and [[Saskatchewan]].<ref>{{Cite news |access-date=25 March 2008 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-flags-at-half-mast-for-fallen-soldier-1.604344 |title=Sask. flags at half-mast for fallen soldier |publisher=[[CBC.ca|CBC]] |date=9 August 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508121537/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2006/08/08/flags-sask.html |archive-date=8 May 2009}}</ref>

[[File:Joseph Shepard Federal Building.jpg|thumb|The flag of Canada at half-mast outside the [[Government of Canada Building (North York)|Joseph Shepard Building]] in [[Toronto]], following the death of [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]], 2021]]
=== China ===
[[File:National mourning for 2008 Sichuan earthquake victims - Tiananmen Square, Beijing, 2008-05-19 (Cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Chinese flag at half-mast as a sign of mourning for the victims of the [[2008 Sichuan earthquake]]]]

The National Flag Law provides for a number of situations on which the flag should be flown at half-mast, and authorizes the [[State Council of the People's Republic of China|State Council]] to make such executive orders:
*On the death of the [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]] ([[paramount leader]]), [[President of the People's Republic of China|president]], [[Premier of the People's Republic of China|premier]], [[chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress]], [[Chairman of the Central Military Commission (China)|chairman of the Central Military Commission]], [[chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]], and those who have made major contributions to the People's Republic of China, or to world peace or advancement of the mankind. For example, the flag was flown at half-mast after the deaths of [[Zhou Enlai]] (1976), [[Zhu De]] (1976), [[Mao Zedong]] (1976), [[Soong Ching-ling]] (1981), [[Hu Yaobang]] (1989), [[Li Xiannian]] (1992), [[Deng Xiaoping]] (1997), [[Yang Shangkun]] (1998), [[Qiao Shi]] (2015), [[Wan Li]] (2015), [[Li Peng]] (2019), [[Jiang Zemin]] (2022) & [[Li Keqiang]] (2023), as well as death of foreigners such as [[Joseph Stalin]] (1953), [[Patrice Lumumba]] (1961), [[Charles de Gaulle]] (1970) and [[Norodom Sihanouk]] (2012).
*When major disasters happen, such as when the flag was flown at half-mast from 19 to 21 May 2008, the three national mourning days for the [[2008 Sichuan earthquake]], as well as at 4 April 2020 ([[Qingming Festival]]) as the national mourning day for the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].

=== Cuba ===
[[File:Funerales del ex Presidente Fidel Castro Ruz (30521067143).jpg|thumb|Cuban flag at half-mast for the state funeral of former leader [[Fidel Castro]], 2016]]
In [[Cuba]], flags were flown at half-mast in 2013 after the death of [[Venezuela]]n President [[Hugo Chávez]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-03-07|title=Cuba despedirá a mandatario venezolano con todos los honores, al igual como lo hizo con el Che|url=https://www.latercera.com/diario-impreso/cuba-despedira-a-mandatario-venezolano-con-todos-los-honores-al-igual-como-lo-hizo-con-el-che/|access-date=2021-11-21|website=La Tercera}}</ref> and again after the [[Death and state funeral of Fidel Castro|death of Fidel Castro]] in 2016.

In recent years, the flag of Cuba has also been flown at half-mast by proclamation of the [[president of Cuba]] following deaths of foreign leaders.

=== Denmark ===
The [[Flag of Denmark|Danish flag]] ({{Lang|da|Dannebrog}}) is nationally flown at half-mast in Denmark as a sign of mourning (for instance, upon the death of a current or former [[Monarchy of Denmark|monarch of Denmark]] or of any member of the Danish royal family). It is performed by raising the flag briefly to the top of the mast and lowering it approximately one-third of the length of the flagpole. This tradition dates back to 1743, when Christian VI ordered in the naval's ceremonial regulations that instead of using black flags with white crosses for mourning, they should use the flag at half-mast as a sign of mourning.<ref>Henningsen, H. "Dannebrog og flagføring til søs" page 60, Handels- og Søfartsmuseet på Kronborg Årbog, 1969.</ref> This applied also for Norway as both kingdoms were united by that time. Unlike other monarchies, the [[Monarchy of Denmark|Sovereign]] can order the [[List of Danish flags#Royal flags|Danish Royal Standard]] to be flown at half-mast. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kongehuset.dk/en/news/display-of-flags-in-connection-with-hrh-prince-philips-funeral | title=Display of flags in connection with HRH Prince Philip's funeral }}</ref>

=== Finland ===
In Finland, the official term for flying a flag at half-mast is known as ''suruliputus'' (''mourning by flag(ging)''). It is performed by raising the flag briefly to the top of the mast and lowering it approximately one-third of the length of the flagpole, placing the lower hoist corner at half-mast. On wall-mounted and roof-top flagpoles the middle of the flag should fly at the middle of the flagpole. When removing the flag from half-mast, it is briefly hoisted to the finial before lowering.

Traditionally, private residences and apartment houses fly the national flag at half-mast on the day of the death of a resident, when the flag is displayed at half-mast until sunset or 21:00, whichever comes first. Flags are also flown at half-mast on the day of the burial, with the exception that the flag is to be hoisted to the finial after the inhumation takes place.

Flags are also to be flown at half-mast by government agencies and embassies across the world on the days of national mourning, and "the entire nation is asked to join in." Such days are the deaths of former or current [[President of Finland|Finnish presidents]], as well as significant catastrophic events such as the aftermath of [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]], [[2011 Norway attacks]] and significant national events such as the 2004 [[Konginkangas bus disaster]] and school shootings of [[Jokela school shooting|Jokela]], [[Kauhajoki school shooting|Kauhajoki]], and [[Viertola school shooting|Viertola]].

Historically, flags were flown at half-mast on the [[Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers]] which takes place on the third Sunday of May. Originally, flag was raised to the finial in the morning, displayed at half-mast from 10:00 to 14:00, and again raised to the finial for the rest of the day. In 1995, the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the tradition of flying the flag at half-mast was discontinued and flag is displayed at the finial in a usual manner.

=== France ===
The [[French flag]] is flown half mast on any day of mourning by order of the government (for example after the [[Charlie Hebdo shooting|''Charlie Hebdo'' attack]] on 7 January 2015, the [[November 2015 Paris attacks|Paris attacks]] on 13 November 2015, and the [[2016 Nice truck attack|Nice attack]] on 14 July 2016). Other countries have also flown the French flag at half mast because of this too (e.g. Australia's [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]] flew the French flag at half mast following the Paris attacks in November 2015).

Some occurrences of the French flag being flown half mast have been controversial, especially after the death of [[Pope John Paul II]] in 2005<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/roland-garros/article/2005/04/04/drapeaux-en-berne-et-le-deuil-du-pape_635227_1616946.html|title=Drapeaux en berne et le deuil du pape|website=Le Monde.fr|date=4 April 2005}}</ref> but also in a lesser measure at the time following the death of [[Joseph Stalin]] in March 1953.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2013/12/06/01016-20131206ARTFIG00356-drapeaux-en-berne-un-honneur-rare-pour-une-personnalite-etrangere.php|title=Drapeaux en berne : un honneur rare pour une personnalité étrangère|date=6 December 2013}}</ref>

=== Germany ===
[[File:Land-bw-g.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Black ribbon]]s indicate mourning on banners that cannot be lowered to half-mast.]]

The [[flag of Germany]] and the flags of its federal states are flown at half-mast:
*On 27 January, [[International Holocaust Remembrance Day|Day of Remembrance for the Victims of National Socialism]];
*On National Day of Mourning (33rd Sunday of [[Ordinary Time]]).
*On any day of mourning by order of the [[President of Germany|federal president]] for all of Germany, or by order of a [[Minister-President#Germany|minister president]] for a particular state. E.g. upon the death of a current or former ranking politician or person of high esteem, or multiple deaths in accidents or natural disasters.
If flags cannot be displayed at half-mast (e.g. vertical banner flags), they should bear black crepe streamers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Information on flag displays |url=https://www.protokoll-inland.de/Webs/PI/EN/flag-displays/general-information/informations/informations-node.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241130162840/https://www.protokoll-inland.de/Webs/PI/EN/flag-displays/general-information/informations/informations-node.html |archive-date=2024-11-30 |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Domestic Protocol Office of the Federal Government |language=en-EN}}</ref>

One other notable exception to the convention is the flag of unity, in front of the [[Reichstag building]]. As a national monument symbolising [[German reunification|German Unity]], it may only ever be flown at full, except in extreme circumstances of national mourning. Since it was first hoisted on the 3rd of October 1990, the flag of unity had been lowered to half-mast on just four occasions:
* 11 September 2001, the day of the [[September 11 attacks]]
* 26 April 2002, the day of the [[Erfurt school massacre]]
* 13 November 2015, the day of the [[November 2015 Paris attacks]]
* 23 March 2016, the day of the [[2016 Brussels bombings]]

=== Greece ===
According to Law 851/1978, the only day specified on which the [[flag of Greece|Greek flag]] is flown at half-mast is [[Good Friday]]. Also, on other national and public mourning days.

=== Hong Kong & Taiwan ===
[[File:Flags at half-staff in GBS.jpg|thumb|Hong Kong SAR flag flown at half mast]]

Similar rules as in China apply for Hong Kong. (See [[flag of Hong Kong#Half-staff|Flag of Hong Kong]] for details.) Prior to the [[transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong|transfer of sovereignty]] in 1997, the rules for flying the flag at half-mast were the same as the British ones.
*The HKSAR flag was flown at half-mast on 24–26 August 2010, for the fatalities of the Hong Thai Travel tourists in the [[2010 Manila hostage crisis]].
*The national flag of the PRC was also flown at half-mast on 26 August in Hong Kong.
*The HKSAR flag was flown at half-mast on 4–6 October 2012, for the [[2012 Lamma Island ferry collision|Lamma Ferry Accident]] victims in which 39 people died.
[[File:Flag of the ROC at half staff in Presidential Building tower 20090824.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Flag of the Republic of China|ROC (Taiwan) national flag]] flown half mast at the [[Presidential Office Building, Taipei|Presidential Office Building]]]]
The [[flag of the Republic of China]] is flown at half-mast on 28 February to mark the anniversary of the [[28 February incident]]. On 5 August 2014, Taiwan flew their flag in half-mast for three days to commemorate the victims of the [[2014 Kaohsiung gas explosions|Kaohsiung gas explosions]] and [[TransAsia Airways Flight 222|TransAsia Airways Flight 222 crash]].<ref name="ChinaPost">{{cite news |date=6 August 2014 |title=Flags flying at half-mast to mourn explosions, air crash |url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2014/08/06/414181/Flags-flying.htm |access-date=28 November 2014 |work=The China Post}}</ref>
=== India ===
[[File:The flag of India at half-mast hoisted on THE RED FORT at the time of national mourning.jpg|thumb|Indian flag flown at half-mast at the Red Fort]]

The [[flag of India]] is flown at half-mast for the death of a [[President of India|president]], [[Vice President of India|vice-president]], or [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]], all over India. For the speaker of the [[Lok Sabha]] and the chief justice of the [[Supreme Court of India]], it is flown in [[Delhi]] and for a [[Cabinet of India|Union Cabinet]] minister it is flown in Delhi and the state capitals, from where the official came. For a minister of state, it is flown only in Delhi. For a governor, lieutenant governor, or chief minister of a state or union territory, it is flown in the concerned state.

If the intimation of the death of any dignitary is received in the afternoon, the flag shall be flown at half-mast on the following day also at the place or places indicated above, provided the funeral has not taken place before sunrise on that day. On the day of the funeral of a dignitary mentioned above, the flag shall be flown at half-mast at the place of the funeral. For example, on 17 March 2019, the government of India declared a national day of mourning on 18 March 2019 due to the death of the chief minister of Goa, [[Manohar Parrikar]], on 17 March 2019. This means that on 18 March 2019, the Indian national flag must be at half-mast in the national capital, that is, New Delhi, and in the capital cities of all the 28 states and Union Territories.

In the event of a halfmast day coinciding with the [[Republic Day]], [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]], National Week (6 to 13 April), any other particular day of national rejoicing as may be specified by the [[government of India]], or, in the case of a state, on the anniversary of formation of that state, flags are not permitted to be flown at half-mast except over the building where the body of the deceased is lying until it has been removed and that flag shall be raised to the full-mast position after the body has been removed.

Observances of state mourning on the death of foreign dignitaries are governed by special instructions issued from the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] (Home Ministry) in individual cases. However, in the event of death of either the head of the state or head of the government of a foreign country, the Indian mission accredited to that country may fly the national flag on the above-mentioned days. India observed a five-day period of national mourning on the death of [[Nelson Mandela]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/5-day-state-mourning-in-India-as-a-mark-of-respect-to-Nelson-Mandela/articleshow/26957822.cms |work=The Times of India |title=5-day state mourning in India as a mark of respect to Nelson Mandela – The Times of India}}</ref> India also declared 29 March 2015 as a day of national mourning as a mark of respect to the former prime minister of Singapore, [[Lee Kuan Yew]]. In February 2022, India observed two days of national mourning in memory of [[playback singer]] [[Lata Mangeshkar]], who died on 6 February 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/2day-national-mourning-in-lata-mangeshkar-s-memory-tricolour-at-halfmast-101644122238434.html |title= Lata Mangeshkar's last rites at Mumbai's Shivaji Park with full state honours |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> After the assassination of former Japanese prime minister [[Shinzo Abe]] and the death of [[Queen Elizabeth II]] of the UK, the Union Government of India ordered one-day national mourning on 9 July 2022 and 11 September 2022, respectively.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/world/story/india-to-observe-one-day-national-mourning-for-shinzo-abes-death-say-pm-modi-340855-2022-07-08 | title=India to observe one-day national mourning for Shinzo Abe's death, say PM Modi | date=8 July 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-declares-state-mourning-on-sunday-in-queens-memory-8141273/ | title=India declares state mourning on Sunday in Queen's memory | date=9 September 2022 }}</ref>

=== Indonesia ===
The [[flag of Indonesia]] is flown half-mast for:
#Three days following the death of the president or vice president (in office or former) of Indonesia throughout the country and on official Indonesian installations abroad.
#Two days following the death of the head of a state institution, minister or minister-level officials. Half mast is only flown limited to the location of the institution which the official is concerned.
#One day following the death of a member of a state institution, regional head or the head of the regional people's representative council. Half mast is only flown limited to the location of the institution which the official is concerned.<ref>Indonesian National Constitution (Undang-Undang) Number 24-year 2009 article 12</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UU 24 Tahun 2009 |url=https://luk.staff.ugm.ac.id/atur/UU24-2009BenderaBahasa.pdf |access-date=31 August 2023 |website=luk.staff.ugm.ac.id}}</ref>

The national flag of Indonesia may also be flown at half-mast on: 
*30 September, in remembrance of the [[30 September Movement]] (after the [[fall of Suharto]] and the end of the [[New Order (Indonesia)|New Order]] in 1998, this tradition was stopped, but has since resumed in recent years);<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hukum.ub.ac.id/en/english-upacara-bendera-memperingati-hari-kesaktian-pancasila-tahun-2017-universitas-brawijaya/|title=Flag Ceremony Commemorating The Day of The Power of Pancasila Year 2017 UB|access-date=10 November 2021|date=2 October 2017|website=ub.ac.id|archive-date=10 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110035524/https://hukum.ub.ac.id/en/english-upacara-bendera-memperingati-hari-kesaktian-pancasila-tahun-2017-universitas-brawijaya/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*12 October, in remembrance of the victims of the [[2002 Bali bombings]];
*26 December, in remembrance of victims of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]];
*Three days after the death of [[President of Indonesia|President]] or [[List of Presidents of Indonesia|former Presidents]], [[Vice President of Indonesia|Vice President]] or [[List of Vice Presidents of Indonesia|former Vice Presidents]], [[Cabinet of Indonesia|Members of Cabinet]], [[People's Representative Council|Speaker of People's Representative Council]], and [[Head of Government]];
*Other mourning days established by national or local governments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jabarprov.go.id/En/index.php/news/8497/Governor_Instructs_Half_Flag_Raising|title=Governor Instructs Half-Flag Raising|date=12 September 2019|publisher=Government of West Java Province|access-date=10 November 2021|archive-date=10 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110035517/https://www.jabarprov.go.id/En/index.php/news/8497/Governor_Instructs_Half_Flag_Raising|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Iran ===
The [[flag of Iran]] is flown at half-mast on the death of a national figure or mourning days.

On 10 January 2017, the flag was flown at half-mast following the death of Ayatollah [[Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Flag of Iran is flown half-mast |date=10 January 2017 |url=http://www.irna.ir/en/News/82381769/ |access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> and again eleven days later following the [[Plasco Building]] collapse in Tehran.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=13951102000001 |access-date=21 January 2017 |title=Flag of Iran is flown half-mast|date=21 January 2017 }}</ref>

=== Ireland ===
The [[flag of Ireland]] is flown at half-mast on the death of a national or international figure, including former and current [[President of Ireland|presidents]] or [[Taoiseach|Taoisigh]], on all prominent government buildings equipped with a flag pole. The death of a prominent local figure can also be marked locally by the flag being flown at half-mast. When the national flag is flown at half mast, no other flag should be half-masted. When a balcony in [[Berkeley, California]], collapsed, killing six Irish people, flags were flown at half mast above all state buildings.{{clarify|reason=When did this happen? Does this refer to "state buildings" in Ireland or the USA? Citation needed.|date=April 2021}}

In 2016, to commemorate the [[centenary of the Easter Rising]], the Irish national flag over the [[General Post Office, Dublin|General Post Office]] in Dublin was lowered to half mast. On Easter Monday 1916, as the rising began, [[Patrick Pearse]] stood outside the Post Office and read the [[Proclamation of the Irish Republic]].

=== Israel ===
[[File:Yom HaShoah Flags halfmast.jpg|thumb|upright|Flags in Israel at half mast on the eve of [[Yom HaShoah]]]]
The [[flag of Israel]] is flown at half-mast on [[Yom HaShoah]] (Holocaust Remembrance Day),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tourism.gov.il/Tourism_Euk/Tourist+Information/Jewish+Themes/Holidays/Holocaust+Remembrance+Day.htm |access-date=23 October 2010 |title=Holidays – Holocaust Remembrance Day}}</ref> [[Yom HaZikaron]] (Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.knesset.gov.il/laws/special/eng/MemorialDayLaw_eng.htm |title=Memorial Day Law for the Fallen of Israel's Wars (unofficial translation) |access-date=23 October 2010}}</ref> and other national days of mourning.

=== Italy ===
The [[flag of Italy]] was flown at half-mast after the [[2013 Sardinia floods]] on 22 November 2013.

=== Japan ===
The [[flag of Japan]] is flown at half-mast upon the death of the [[emperor of Japan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/hakusho/nc/t19890107001/t19890107001.html|title=天皇陛下崩御に際しての弔意奉表について：文部科学省|access-date=28 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205031624/http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/hakusho/nc/t19890107001/t19890107001.html|archive-date=5 December 2014|language=ja|url-status=dead}}</ref> other members of the [[Imperial House of Japan|imperial family]], or a current or former [[Prime Minister of Japan|prime minister]], and also following national disasters such as the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]]. In addition to the tradition of half-staff, the national flag may be flown topped by a black cloth to designate mourning.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/pr/wakaru/topics/vol119/index.html|language=ja|title=外務省: 国際儀礼（プロトコール） ～伝統的な国家間のマナー}}</ref>

=== Jamaica ===
The [[flag of Jamaica]] is flown as a sign of official mourning when declared so by the [[Prime Minister of Jamaica|Prime Minister.]] 

For example, on December 2, 2016, the flag was flown half-mast in respect of the late former [[President of Cuba|Cuban President]] [[Fidel Castro]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-12-01 |title=Jamaica mourns with the people of Cuba on the death of former President Fidel Castro – Office of the Prime Minister |url=https://opm.gov.jm/news/jamaica-mourns-with-the-people-of-cuba-on-the-death-of-former-president-fidel-castro/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Cuban President Fidel Castro Has Died – Jamaica Information Service |url=https://jis.gov.jm/former-cuban-president-fidel-castro-died/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |language=en-US}}</ref> Following the death of [[President of Venezuela|Venezuelan President]] [[Hugo Chávez|Hugo Chavez]], the flag was flown at half-mast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heads Of State Converge For Chavez' Final Farewell |url=https://radiojamaicanewsonline.com/local/heads-of-state-converge-for-chavez-final-farewell |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=radiojamaicanewsonline.com}}</ref> Following the death of Jamaica's [[Queen of Jamaica|head of state]], [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth]], the flag was flown half-mast.

=== Malaysia ===
[[File:Pahang Flag at Half Mast, Malaysian and Selangor Flag, Chin Swee Temple.jpg|thumb|160px|[[Flag and coat of arms of Pahang|Flag of Pahang]] is flown at half-mast at the [[Chin Swee Caves Temple]] as a mark of respect to the late Sultan [[Ahmad Shah of Pahang]]. The flag of Malaysia and Selangor are not at half-mast as a result of different mourning periods.]]
The [[flag of Malaysia]] ({{Langx|ms|Jalur Gemilang}}) is flown at half-mast nationally:
*On the death of the [[Yang di-Pertuan Agong]] (King), for seven days from the day of announcement. All [[States and federal territories of Malaysia|state and territorial]] flags are also flown at half-mast for seven days, while the national royal standard is flown at half-mast from the day of the announcement until the day of the election and inauguration of the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong;
*On the death of the [[Raja Permaisuri Agong]] (Queen), for seven days from the day of announcement. All state and territorial flags are also flown at half-mast for seven days;
*On the death of a state's [[Malay Ruler|ruler]] or [[Yang di-Pertua Negeri|governor]], as well as the spouse of a ruler or governor, from the day of announcement until the day of the funeral. The state flag and state royal standard may be flown at half-mast for a longer period as determined by the state government;
*On the death of the prime minister or acting prime minister, for three days from the day of announcement; or
*When the Prime Minister's Department orders to flown the Malaysian flag at half-mast for some days.

As a mark of respect to the passengers and crew who were on board [[Malaysia Airlines Flight 370]] and their family members, some states had their states flag flown at half-mast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/03/27/state-heads-can-decide-on-flying-flags-at-halfmast-it-falls-under-their-prerogative-says-government|title=It falls under their prerogative, says government official|website=The Star|date=27 March 2014 }}</ref> Similarly, as a mark of respect to the passengers and crew who were on board [[Malaysia Airlines Flight 17]] and their family members, the national flag was flown at half-mast for three days and also on the national day of mourning, 22 August 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/south-east-asia/story/malaysia-airlines-mh17-crash-flags-fly-half-mast-over-next-three-day/|title=Malaysia Airlines MH17 crash: Flags to fly at half-mast over next three days, says Najib|last=migration|newspaper=The Straits Times |date=18 July 2014}}</ref> The [[2015 Sabah earthquake]] had a mourning day and the flag half-mast on 8 June 2015.

=== Myanmar (Burma) ===
[[File:Martyrs'_Mausoleum.jpg|thumb|[[Martyrs' Mausoleum|The Mausoleum]] (There are 7 tombs out of 9 tombs who are victims of the assassination inside it)]]

[[Flag of Myanmar|The Burmese flag]] is ceremonially flown at half-mast at the [[Martyrs' Mausoleum]], located in [[Yangon]], every year on July 19. This day is observed as [[Martyrs' Day (Myanmar)|Martyrs' Day]], a significant national event that commemorates the assassination of [[Aung San]], the revolutionary founding father of modern Myanmar and father of [[Aung San Suu Kyi]], a [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner, along with several of his key ministers and advisory commissioners in 1947. 

The flag being flown at half-mast serves as a symbol of national mourning and respect for those who sacrificed their lives for the country's independence and sovereignty. Various ceremonies and tributes are held across the nation, emphasizing the importance of Aung San's legacy and the ongoing struggle for democracy and human rights in Myanmar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45148505|title=Myanmar marks Martyrs' Day|publisher=BBC News|date=July 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Aung San Suu Kyi: A Biography|author=Jill McGivering|publisher=Oneworld Publications|year=2016}}</ref>

=== Netherlands ===
[[File:Martinitoren Groningen.JPG|thumb|upright|Two flags half-mast at the [[Martinitoren]] in [[Groningen (city)|Groningen]], Netherlands]]

The [[flag of the Netherlands]] is nationally flown at half-mast:
*On [[Remembrance of the Dead|remembrance day of the dead (4 May)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.minbzk.nl/actueel?ActItmIdt=11867|title=Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties|first=Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en|last=Koninkrijksrelaties|date=18 February 2010}}</ref> After the formal two minutes of silence at 8{{nbsp}}p.m., the flag used to be hoisted upon the playing of the [[Wilhelmus|national anthem]]. Since 2001, it is left at half-mast, even after the two minutes of silence;
*At the death of a member of the [[Dutch Royal Family|royal family]];
*By instruction of the Dutch government through the office of the [[prime minister]] in special situations (e.g. the [[2009 attack on the Dutch royal family]] on 30 April, [[Koninginnedag]], which resulted in the deaths of seven bystanders, and after the crash of [[Malaysia Airlines Flight 17]] in 2014, in which 193 Dutch citizens died).

The [[Flags of the Dutch royal family|royal standard and other flags of the Dutch royal family]] are never flown at half-mast. Instead, a black [[pennon]] may be affixed to the flag in times of mourning.<ref>{{cite web|title=Personal flags|url=https://www.royal-house.nl/topics/flags/personal-flags|website=www.royal-house.nl|date=6 February 2015|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The royal standard of King Willem-Alexander flies with a mourning...|url=http://www.gettyimages.com/license/452549778|website=Getty Images|date=23 July 2014 |access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

=== New Zealand ===
[[File:New Zealand flag half mast.jpg|thumb|upright|New Zealand flag at half-mast to mark the death of [[Edmund Hillary|Sir Edmund Hillary]]]]

For both government and public buildings, the [[flag of New Zealand]] is flown at half-mast for the following people:<ref name="nzmch">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mch.govt.nz/nzflag/flying.html|title=Flags &#124; Ministry for Culture and Heritage}}</ref>
*The [[Monarchy of New Zealand|monarch of New Zealand]] from the day of the announcement of their death up to and including the day of the funeral (however, it is flown at full-mast on [[Proclamation Day]], the day when the new sovereign is announced);
*Current and former [[Governor-General of New Zealand|governors-general]] and [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|prime ministers of New Zealand]] on the day of the announcement of their death and the day of their funerals;
*Other members of the [[New Zealand Royal Family|royal family]] on the day of their funeral subject to a special command from the monarch or governor-general;
*[[Commonwealth of Nations]] [[Governor-General|governors-general]], Commonwealth prime ministers in office, foreign and Commonwealth heads of state on the day of the funeral;
In addition, it can also be flown at half-mast at the request of the minister for arts, culture and heritage. Examples of this are for the deaths of prominent New Zealanders (e.g. [[Edmund Hillary|Sir Edmund Hillary]];<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/hillary_120108_1057_pf.shtml |title=Sir Edmund Hillary dies |date=12 January 2008 |access-date=16 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116101112/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/hillary_120108_1057_pf.shtml |archive-date=16 January 2008 }}</ref> Māori monarchs [[Te Atairangikaahu|Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu]] and [[Tūheitia Paki|Kīngi Tūheitia]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mch.govt.nz/half-mast.html |title=Half-masting of New Zealand flag |access-date=16 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807063938/http://www.mch.govt.nz/half-mast.html |archive-date=7 August 2009}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-08-30 |title=Live updates: Māori King Kiingi Tuheitia dies |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/526565/live-updates-maori-king-kiingi-tuheitia-dies |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref>), and for national tragedies (e.g. the [[Pike River Mine disaster]]).

According to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, the position is always referred to as half-mast. The flag should be at least its own height from the top of the flagpole, though the actual position will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole.<ref name="nzmch" />

=== Northern Cyprus ===
The [[flag of Northern Cyprus]] is routinely flown at half-mast throughout the country every 10 November in memory of [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]], founding father of the [[Republic of Turkey]] who died on 10 November 1938. At other times, the premiership may issue an order for the flag to be flown at half-mast.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti Bayrak Yasası|trans-title=Flag Law of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus|url=http://www.mebnet.net/sites/default/files/15-1984BayrakYasasi.pdf|language=tr}}</ref> Historical dates of half-mast in Northern Cyprus include:

* 7 November 2006, due to the death of [[Bülent Ecevit]], [[Prime Minister of Turkey|prime minister of Turkey]] at the time of the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|Turkish Invasion of Cyprus]];<ref>{{Cite web|title=Flags fly at half mast in Northern Cyprus for former PM Ecevit|url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/flags-fly-at-half-mast-in-northern-cyprus-for-former-pm-ecevit-5389470|access-date=2020-10-26|website=www.hurriyet.com.tr|date=7 November 2006 |language=tr}}</ref>
* 14–20 January 2012, due to the death of [[Rauf Denktaş]], founding president of Northern Cyprus;<ref>{{Cite web|title=KKTC'de Okullar ve Resmi Kurumlar Tatil|url=https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/kktcde-okullar-ve-resmi-kurumlar-tatil-24186.html|access-date=2020-10-26|website=www.trthaber.com|date=14 January 2012 |language=tr}}</ref>
* 15–16 May 2014 due to the [[Soma mine disaster]];
* 22–24 July 2014 due to the [[2014 Gaza War]];
* 11–13 October 2015 due to the [[2015 Ankara bombings]];
* 29 June 2016 due to the [[2016 Atatürk Airport attack]];<ref>{{Cite web|title=Milli yas nedir? Milli yasta bayraklar neden yarıya indirilir?|url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/milli-yas-nedir-milli-yas-ilan-edilince-ne-olur-40303207|access-date=2020-10-26|website=www.hurriyet.com.tr|date=11 December 2016 |language=tr}}</ref>
* 11 December 2016 due to the [[December 2016 Istanbul bombings]];<ref>{{Cite web|last=iha.com.tr|title=KKTC'de 1 günlük yas ilan edildi|url=https://www.iha.com.tr/haber-kktcde-1-gunluk-yas-ilan-edildi-608508/|access-date=2020-10-26|website=İhlas Haber Ajansı|language=tr}}</ref>
* 6–12 February 2023 due to the [[2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes]];<ref> {{Cite web |date=2023-02-06 |title=KKTC'de 7 gün ulusal yas ilan edildi |url=https://t24.com.tr/haber/kktc-de-7-gun-ulusal-yas-ilan-edildi,1090248 |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=T24 |language=Turkish}}</ref>
* 19–21 October 2023 due to the [[Al-Ahli Arab Hospital explosion]].<ref> {{Cite web |title=Northern Cyprus declares 3 days of mourning for Gaza hospital attack victims |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/northern-cyprus-declares-3-days-of-mourning-for-gaza-hospital-attack-victims/3025991 |access-date=2024-08-30 |publisher=[[Anadolu Agency]]}}</ref>
* 22 January 2025 due to the [[2025 Kartalkaya hotel fire]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/kktcde-kartalkayadaki-yanginda-hayatini-kaybedenler-icin-1-gunluk-ulusal-yas-ilan-edildi/3458759 | title=KKTC'de, Kartalkaya'daki yangında hayatını kaybedenler için 1 günlük ulusal yas ilan edildi }}</ref>

=== Norway ===
[[File:Norsk flagg på Egertorget - Norwegian flag Egertorget.jpg|thumb|200px|Norwegian flag at half-staff to mourn the victims of the 2011 Norway attacks]]

On days designated as official days of mourning the state flag is to be flown at half staff by state and government agencies. There are no permanent days of mourning and this provision only comes into use upon the death of a member of the Royal House or as designated by the Government. Upon the death of a member of the Royal House the flag is to be displayed at half staff each day from the announcement of death until the end of the burial. If the burial service of a non-royal person connected to an individual public institution occurs on a flag flying day the flag flown by that institution is lowered to half staff until the burial service is over.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/ud/dok/lover_regler/reglement/2003/instruks_for_utenrikstjenesten/13.html?id=260737 
|title=Norwegian Foreign Ministry rules on flag flying 
|accessdate=2008-04-16 
|language=Norwegian 
}}</ref> One such example of a designated official day of mourning was during the immediate aftermath of the [[2011 Norway attacks]], in which flags all around Norway were half-staffed as a symbol of mourning for the victims.

=== Pakistan ===
The [[flag of Pakistan]] is routinely flown at half-mast on following days:
*On 21 April, anniversary of the death of the [[National poet|National Poet]], [[Allama Muhammad Iqbal]] (1938);
*On 11 September, anniversary of the death of the [[Father of the Nation]] [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]] (1948);
*On 16 October, anniversary of the death of the first [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister]], [[Liaquat Ali Khan]] (1952).

Any other day notified by the government. For example, on the death of Saudi king [[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz]], the flag was flown at half-mast for seven days (the [[flag of Saudi Arabia]] was not at half-mast because the flag contains the [[Shahada]]). Upon the [[assassination of Benazir Bhutto]], the flag was ordered to be flown at half-mast for three days.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}} On the death of [[Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin]], the spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, the flag was ordered by Sindh Chief Minister Qasim Ali Shah to be flown at half-mast for two days (17 and 18 January) to express solidarity with the bereaved community. In 2014, the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, announced a three-day mourning period from 16 December, including flying the flag at half-mast nationwide and at all embassies and high commissions of Pakistan, for the attack on Army Public School in Peshawar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arynews.tv/two-children-terrorists-attack-peshawars-army-public-school/|title=At least 141 dead in Taliban school attack in Peshawar|first=Raza|last=Haidery|date=16 December 2014|website=ARY NEWS}}</ref>

On 2 September 2021, the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister of Pakistan]], [[Imran Khan]], ordered that the flag be flown at half mast to mourn the death of Kashmiri separatist leader [[Syed Ali Shah Geelani]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pakistan flag to fly at half-mast to pay respect to Syed Ali Gilani|url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/617832-Pakistan-flag-to-fly-at-half-mast-to-pay-respect-to-Syed-Ali-Gilani|access-date=2021-10-11|website=Dunya News}}</ref>

=== Philippines ===
[[File:Rizal Park, flag half-mast side (Manila; 06-26-2021).jpg|thumb|Philippine flag at half-staff at [[Rizal Park]] a few days after the death of former president [[Noynoy Aquino]].]]
The [[flag of the Philippines]] may be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning.<ref name="ra8491">{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ph/aboutphil/RA8491.asp |title=Republic Act No. 8491 |access-date=8 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030907164140/http://www.gov.ph/aboutphil/RA8491.asp |archive-date=7 September 2003 }}(archived from on 5 December 2007).</ref> Upon the official announcement of the death of the [[President of the Philippines|president]] or a former president, the flag should be flown at half-mast for ten days. The flag should be flown at half-mast for seven days following the death of the [[Vice President of the Philippines|vice president]], [[Chief Justice of the Philippines|the chief justice]], [[President of the Senate of the Philippines|the president of the Senate]] or [[Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines|the speaker of the House of Representatives]].<ref name="ph-ra-8491">{{Cite web |title=Republic Act No. 8491 {{!}} GOVPH |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1998/02/12/republic-act-no-8491/ |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines |date=12 February 1998 |language=en-US}}</ref>

As per Republic Act No. 229, flags nationwide are flown at half-mast every [[Rizal Day]] on 30 December to commemorate the death of national hero [[José Rizal]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=December 30, 2012: Celebrating Rizal and the National Language {{!}} GOVPH |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/12/21/december-30-2012-celebrating-rizal-and-the-national-language/ |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines |date=21 December 2012 |language=en-US}}</ref>

When flown at half-mast, the flag should be first hoisted to the peak for a moment then lowered to the half-mast position. It should be raised to the peak again before it is lowered for the day.<ref name="ph-ra-8491" /><ref name="ph-2015-day-of-mourning">{{Cite web |title=January 30, 2015, is a National Day of Mourning {{!}} GOVPH |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2015/01/29/january-30-2015-is-a-national-day-of-mourning/ |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines |date=29 January 2015 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The flag may also be used to cover the caskets of the dead of the military, veterans of previous wars, national artists, and outstanding civilians as determined by the local government. In such cases, the flag must be placed such that the white triangle is at the head and the blue portion covers the right side of the casket. The flag should not be lowered to the grave or allowed to touch the ground, but should be solemnly folded and handed to the heirs of the deceased.<ref name="ph-ra-8491" />

Flags must also be raised to half-mast immediately in any area recovering from [[natural disaster]]s such as a [[typhoon]] or an [[earthquake]].{{cn|date=May 2023}}

In the aftermath of the [[Mamasapano clash]] in which 44 members of the [[Special Action Force]] were killed, January 30, 2015 was declared a [[national day of mourning]], and as such, all public institutions and military installations were instructed to lower the Philippine flag to half-mast.<ref name="ph-2015-day-of-mourning" />

On June 24, 2021, in several areas in the country, the flag of the Philippines was at half-mast as a sign of mourning for the 15th Philippine president, [[Benigno Aquino III|Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Flags fly half-mast as Philippines mourns Noynoy Aquino's death|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/flags-half-mast-philippines-mourns-noynoy-aquino-death|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Rappler|date=24 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Aquino's former communications secretary, [[Manolo Quezon]], noted that some flags have been lowered to half-mast before his family confirmed the former president's death.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Regalado |first=Pia |date=2021-06-24 |title=As Nation Mourns Aquino's Death, Philippine Flags Are Flying at Half-Mast |work=spot.ph |url=https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/culture/98312/noynoy-dies-and-the-philippines-flags-are-at-half-mast-here-s-why-a4832-20210624 |access-date=2023-05-13}}</ref>

=== Poland ===
According to article 11 of the Coat of Arms Act, the [[flag of Poland]] may be flown at half-mast as a sign of national mourning declared by the [[President of Poland|president]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dz. U. 1980 Nr 7 poz. 18|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU19800070018/U/D19800018Lj.pdf|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of declared national mourning periods in Poland, as of 21 August 2021
|-
! No. !! Date !! Reason of declared national mourning !! Reference
|-
| colspan="4" | '''[[Congress Poland]]'''
|-
| 1 || 25–27 October 1826 || Death of general [[Józef Zajączek]] || <ref>{{Cite web|title=Od bohatera do namiestnika cara. Smutna przemiana gen. Zajączka|url=https://superhistoria.pl/xix-wiek/83952/burzliwe-losy-gen-zajaczka.html|website=SuperHistoria|date=16 July 2023 |language=pl}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="4" | '''[[Second Polish Republic]]'''
|-
| 2 || 3 February 1924 || Death of former president of the United States [[Thomas Woodrow Wilson]] || <ref name="pl2">{{Cite web|title=Prezydent zbanalizował żałobę?|url=https://wiadomosci.wp.pl/prezydent-zbanalizowal-zalobe-6037426514441345a|website=Wiadomości WP|date=17 April 2009 |language=pl}}</ref>
|-
| 3 || 18 June 1934 || [[Assassination of Bronisław Pieracki|Assassination of minister Bronisław Pieracki]] || <ref>{{Cite web|title=M.P. z 1934 r. nr 137, poz. 184|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WMP19341370184/O/M19340184.pdf|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl}}</ref>
|-
| 4 || 12–18 May 1935 || Death of marshal [[Józef Piłsudski]] || <ref>{{Cite web|title=M.P. z 1935 r. nr 114, poz. 144|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WMP19351140144|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl}}</ref>
|-
| 5 || 4 December 1938 || Death of archbishop [[Józef Teodorowicz]] || <ref name="pl2" />
|-
| colspan="4" | '''[[Occupation of Poland (1939–1945)]]'''
|-
| 6 || 7 July - 1 August 1943 || Death of prime minister [[Władysław Sikorski]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://polona.pl/item/biuletyn-informacyjny-r-5-nr-28-15-lipca-1943-nr-183,Nzc2Nzk1MDI/0/#info:metadata|title=Biuletyn Informacyjny nr 28 (183), 15 lipca 1943 r.|website=Polona|language=pl}}</ref>
|-
| 7 || 4–18 October 1944 || Fall of the [[Warsaw Uprising]] || <ref name="pl2" />
|-
| colspan="4" | '''[[Polish People's Republic]]'''
|-
| 8 || 9 March 1953 || Death of [[Joseph Stalin]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WMP19530230279|title=M.P. z 1953 r. nr 23, poz. 279|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl}}</ref>
|-
| 9 || 13–16 March 1956 || Death of General Secretary [[Bolesław Bierut]] || <ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.pbc.rzeszow.pl/dlibra/publication/3261|title=Nowiny Rzeszowskie : organ KW Polskiej Zjednoczonej Partii Robotniczej. 1956, nr 52-78 (marzec)|website=Podkarpacka Biblioteka Cyfrowa|date=1956 |language=pl}}</ref>
|-
| 10 || 8–11 July 1964 || Death of first Chairman of the Council of State [[Aleksander Zawadzki]] || <ref name="pl2" />
|-
| 11 || 16 February 1979 || [[1979 Warsaw gas explosion|Explosion at PKO Bank Polski's Rotunda office in Warsaw]] || <ref>Kronika wydarzeń w Warszawie 1 I – 31 III 1979. „Kronika Warszawy", s. 196, 3(39)/1979.</ref>
|-
| 12 || 28–31 May 1981 || Death of primate of Poland [[Stefan Wyszyński]] || <ref name="pl2" />
|-
| colspan="4" | '''[[Third Polish Republic]]'''
|-
| 13 || 18 July 1997 || [[1997 Central European flood]] || <ref>{{Cite web|title=M.P. z 1997 r. nr 41, poz. 421|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WMP19970410421|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl}}</ref>
|-
| 14 || 12–14 September 2001 || [[September 11 attacks]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2001 r. nr 98, poz. 1072|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20010981072}}</ref>
|-
| 15 || 12–13 March 2004 || [[2004 Madrid train bombings]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2004 r. nr 41, poz. 385|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20040410385}}</ref>
|-
| 16 || 5 January 2005 || [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=M.P. z 2005 r. nr 1, poz. 7|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WMP20050010007}}</ref>
|-
| 17 || 3–8 April 2005 || Death of [[Pope John Paul II]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WMP20050190307|title= M.P. z 2005 r. nr 19, poz. 307}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20050540482|title=Dz.U. 2005 nr 54 poz. 482}}</ref>
|-
| 18 || 14 July 2005 || [[7 July 2005 London bombings]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=M.P. z 2005 r. nr 40, poz. 541|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WMP20050400541}}</ref>
|-
| 19 || 29 January - 1 February 2006 || [[Katowice Trade Hall roof collapse]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2006 r. nr 14, poz. 102|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20060140102}}</ref>
|-
| 20 || 23–25 November 2006 || [[2006 Halemba Coal Mine disaster]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2006 r. nr 212, poz. 1558|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20062121558}}</ref>
|-
| 21 || 23–25 July 2007 || [[Accident on the Rampe de Laffrey (2007)|Accident of Polish bus on the Rampe de Laffrey]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title= Dz.U. z 2007 r. nr 132, poz. 914|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20071320914}}</ref>
|-
| 22 || 24–26 January 2008 || [[2008 Polish Air Force C-295 Mirosławiec crash]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2008 r. nr 12, poz. 77|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20080120077}}</ref>
|-
| 23 || 14–16 April 2009 || [[Kamień Pomorski homeless hostel fire]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2009 r. nr 59, poz. 487|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20090590487}}</ref>
|-
| 24 || 21–22 September 2009 || [[2009 Wujek-Śląsk mine blast]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2009 r. nr 154, poz. 1230|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20091541230}}</ref>
|-
| 25 || 10–18 April 2010 || [[Smolensk air disaster]]|| <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2010 r. nr 58, poz. 368|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20100580368}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2010 r. nr 61, poz. 376|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20100610376}}</ref>
|-
| 26 || 5–6 March 2012 || [[Szczekociny rail crash]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2012 r. poz. 237|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20120000237}}</ref>
|-
| 27 || 3 November 2013 || Death of former prime minister [[Tadeusz Mazowiecki]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2013 r. poz. 1268|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20130001268}}</ref>
|-
| 28 || 23 December 2018 || Mine blast in [[Stonava]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2018 r. poz. 2400|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20180002400}}</ref>
|-
| 29 || 18–19 January 2019 || [[Assassination of Paweł Adamowicz|Assassination of mayor of Gdańsk Paweł Adamowicz]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2019 r. poz. 107|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20190000107}}</ref>
|-
| 30 || 15–16 February 2019 || Death of former prime minister [[Jan Olszewski]] || <ref>{{Cite web|website=Sejm.gov.pl|language=pl|title=Dz.U. z 2019 r. poz. 280|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20190000280}}</ref>
|}

=== Russia ===
The [[flag of Russia]] is flown at half-mast and (or) topped by black ribbon:
*On 22 June as a reminder of the [[Operation Barbarossa|Nazi invasion of the USSR]] in 1941;
*On the death of a current or former [[president of Russia]];
*On disasters causing more than sixty deaths, nationwide upon presidential proclamation;
*On disasters causing more than 10 killed; in a suffering region upon proclamation of a governor;
*On other events which warrant mourning. For example, national mourning was proclaimed and all the state flags were flown at half-mast after the [[Smolensk air disaster]] despite the number of casualties being slightly fewer than 100. After the [[assassination of Andrei Karlov]], the Russian ambassador in Turkey, in December 2016, the Russian flag was flown at half-mast across all Russian embassies.

All regional flags and departmental ensigns are flown at half-mast on national or regional mourning days alongside the national flag. Firms and non-governmental organizations, embassies and representatives of international organizations often join mourning. National or regional mourning usually lasts for one day.

=== Saudi Arabia ===
[[File:Flags at half-staff outside Central Plaza.jpg|thumb|The flag of Saudi Arabia is never flown at half-mast.]]
The [[flag of Saudi Arabia]] is never flown at half-mast because it bears the ''[[Shahada]]''.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4736935.stm | work=BBC News | title=Saudi King Fahd is laid to rest | date=2 August 2005}}</ref> It is one of the four such flags in the world which are not given this treatment, the other three being [[flag of Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] and [[flag of Somaliland|Somaliland]], which also display the ''Shahada'', and [[flag of Iraq|Iraq]], which bears the ''[[Takbir]]''. Since all four bear the concept of the unique right of Allah to be worshipped alone, the flags are never lowered to half-mast even as a sign of mourning.{{citation needed|date = December 2016}}

=== Singapore ===
[[File:National Flags at half-staff for the death of Lee Kuan Yew at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore - 20150327.jpg|thumb|Flags of Singapore outside [[The Fullerton Hotel Singapore]] were flown at half-mast to mark the death of [[Lee Kuan Yew]].]]
The [[flag of Singapore]] is flown at half-mast in Singapore following the deaths of an "important personage"<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Act|cap=296|sltype=R|no=1|year=2004|url=http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;ident=cf4f681e-f64a-4d72-8a0b-1a8e3a832463;page=0;query=Id%3A%22dcb5638b-1591-4cb6-90af-8626d9561607%22%20Status%3Ainforce;rec=0#legis}}</ref> (such as state leaders) and during periods of national mourning. Examples include:
* On the death of the fifth president, [[Ong Teng Cheong]], in February 2002;
* On the death of the fourth president, [[Wee Kim Wee]], in 2005;
* On the death of the third president, [[Devan Nair]], on 6 December 2005 who died in [[Ontario]], [[Canada]];
* On the death of former Finance Minister, Interior & Defence Minister, Communications & Environmental Minister, [[Lim Kim San]], in July 2006
* On the death of politician [[S Rajaratnam]], in 2006
* On the death of former deputy prime minister [[Goh Keng Swee]], who had a state funeral on 23 May 2010;
* On the death of former deputy prime minister [[Toh Chin Chye]], who was cremated on 7 February 2012;
* On the death of the first prime minister & only Minister Mentor, [[Lee Kuan Yew]], who died on 23 March 2015;
* On the death of seven pupils, one teacher and a guide from Tanjong Katong Primary School due to [[2015 Sabah earthquake]];
* On the death of the sixth President, [[S. R. Nathan]], who died on 22 August 2016;
* On the death of former Cabinet minister [[Othman Wok]], who died on 17 April 2017;
* On the death of former Cabinet minister [[Jek Yeun Thong]], who died on 3 June 2018, state flags at all government buildings were flown at half-mast on 7 June 2018;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/jek-yeun-thong-pap-pioneer-government-sends-condolences-10397712|title=Singapore's Government extends condolences after death of PAP pioneer Jek Yeun Thong |publisher=channelnewsasia.com |date= 6 June 2018|access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref>
* On the death of former head of state, Queen [[Elizabeth II]], who died on 8 September 2022, state flags at all government buildings were flown at half-mast on 19 September 2022;<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/pm-lee-hsien-loong-queen-elizabeth-death-tributes-condolences-2928811 | title='Great world leader': PM Lee pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after her death }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-09-10 |title=Plans for the Queen's lying in state and funeral |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60617519 |access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref>

=== South Africa ===
The [[flag of South Africa]] is flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning when ordered by the [[president of South Africa]]. Upon the official announcement of the death of the current or former president, the flag should be flown at half-mast for ten days. The flag should be flown at half-mast for seven days following the death of the deputy president, the chairperson of the [[National Council of Provinces]], the speaker of the National Assembly or the chief justice.<ref>{{cite web |title=Government Notice: Instructions regarding the flying of the national flag of South Africa |url=http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=65778 |publisher=Government of South Africa |date=8 June 2001 |access-date=16 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903035416/http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=65778 |archive-date=3 September 2013 }}</ref> For example, the flag was flown at half-mast from 6 to 15 December 2013 during the [[death and state funeral of Nelson Mandela|national mourning period for Nelson Mandela]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Nelson Mandela dead: Full address to the nation by President Jacob Zuma |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/full-address-to-the-nation-by-president-jacob-zuma-on-death-of-president-nelson-mandela-8986970.html |access-date=15 December 2013 |newspaper=The Independent |date=5 December 2013 |location=London}}</ref>

The flag was flown at half-mast during the week of national mourning following the [[Marikana miners' strike|Marikana massacre]] in August 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flags to fly at half mast for a week |url=http://www.iol.co.za/mercury/flags-to-fly-at-half-mast-for-a-week-1.1366120#.Uq8CddIW2yg |access-date=16 December 2013 |newspaper=The Mercury |date=20 August 2012}}</ref>

=== South Korea ===
The [[flag of South Korea]] (Taegeukgi) is flown at half-mast on [[Memorial Day (South Korea)|Hyeonchungil]] (Korean Memorial Day) and on days a [[state funeral]] is held.

In 2022, the Taegeukgi was half-masted to mourn the victims of the [[Seoul Halloween crowd crush]].

In 2024, it was half-masted after the fatal crash of [[Jeju Air Flight 2216]], which killed 179 people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seoul |first=Kang Jin-kyu with Hieun Shin in |title=South Korea Inspects B737-800 Fleet After Worst Plane Crash |url=https://www.barrons.com/amp/news/flags-fly-at-half-mast-as-s-korea-probes-its-worst-plane-crash-3af7f102 |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=www.barrons.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Sweden ===
The [[flag of Sweden]] is nationally flown at half-mast in Sweden. Examples include:
* On the death of a current or former [[king of Sweden]].
* On the death of any member of the [[Swedish royal family|royal family]].

Other historical examples of the flag being flown at half-mast include:
* 18 July 1931, due to the death and funeral of Archbishop [[Nathan Söderblom]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jonsson |first1=Jonas |title=Lars Olof Jonathan (Nathan) Söderblom |url=https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sbl/Presentation.aspx?id=35186 |website=[[National Archives of Sweden]] |publisher=[[Svenskt biografiskt lexikon]] |access-date=12 February 2025 |language=sv}}</ref>
* 19 September 1961, due to the death of UN Secretary-General [[Dag Hammarskjöld]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Flaggor på halv stång hyllning i hela Norden |url=https://arkivet.dn.se/sok?q=hammarskj%C3%B6ld%20%22halv%20st%C3%A5ng%22&from=1864-12-23&sort=newest&to=2025-02-12 |access-date=12 February 2025 |work=[[Dagens Nyheter]] |date=20 September 1961 |language=sv}}</ref>
* 15 March 1986, due to the [[Assassination of Olof Palme|assassination]] and funeral of Prime Minister [[Olof Palme]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Reglerna för flaggning |url=https://arkivet.dn.se/sok?q=palme+%22halv+st%C3%A5ng%22&from=1864-12-23&to=2025-02-12&sort=newest&page=2 |access-date=12 February 2025 |work=Dagens Nyheter |date=14 March 1986 |language=sv}}</ref>
* 1994, due to the [[Sinking of the MS Estonia|sinking of the MS ''Estonia'']]<ref name="dn2003">{{cite news |last1=Bratt |first1=Peter |title=Flaggning på halv stång |url=https://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/flaggning-pa-halv-stang/ |access-date=12 February 2025 |work=Dagens Nyheter |date=18 September 2003 |language=sv}}</ref>
* 1998, due to the [[Gothenburg discothèque fire]]<ref name="dn2003" />
* 14 September 2001, due to the [[September 11 attacks]]<ref name="dn2003" />
* 19 September 2003, due to the assassination and funeral of Minister for Foreign Affairs [[Anna Lindh]]<ref name="dn2003" />
* 1 January 2005, due to the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Molin |first1=Kari |title=Offren hedras med flaggning på halv stång |url=https://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/offren-hedras-med-flaggning-pa-halv-stang/ |access-date=12 February 2025 |work=Dagens Nyheter |date=30 December 2004 |language=sv}}</ref>
* 11 February 2025, due to the [[2025 Risbergska school shooting]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Statsministern bjuder in till nationell tyst minut efter våldsdådet i Örebro |date=9 February 2025 |url=https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2025/02/statsministern-bjuder-in-till-nationell-tyst-minut-efter-valdsdadet-i-orebro/ |publisher=[[Government Offices of Sweden]] |access-date=12 February 2025 |language=sv}}</ref>
{{-}}

=== Thailand ===
[[File:Half mast Bangkok School 2016.jpg|thumb|Thai national flag flown at half mast at [[Assumption College (Thailand)]] Bangkok during the mourning of the [[King Bhumibol]]]]

The [[flag of Thailand]] was flown at half-mast for 15 days to mourn for the victims of [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]].

The flag of Thailand was flown at half-mast from 2 to 15 January 2008 on the death of Princess [[Galyani Vadhana]], the Princess of Naradhiwas.

Also from 14 October to 13 November 2016 the flag of Thailand was flown half-mast for 30 days; following the death of King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] (Rama IX).{{-}}

=== Turkey ===
[[File:Turkish flags at half staff.jpg|thumb|[[Flag of Turkey|Turkish flags]] at half mast after the [[2016 Atatürk Airport attack]]]]
The [[flag of Turkey]] is flown at half-mast throughout Turkey every 10 November, between 09:05 and the sunset, in memory of [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]], who died on 10 November 1938 at five past nine in the morning. At other times, the government may issue an order for the national flag to be flown at half-mast upon the death of principal figures of the Turkish political life as a mark of respect to their memory (such as [[Turgut Özal]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sabah.com.tr/yasam/2018/12/31/hangi-durumlarda-milli-yas-ilan-edilir|title=Hangi durumlarda milli yas ilan edilir?|website=Sabah|language=tr|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref> When such an order is issued, all government buildings, offices, public schools and military bases are to fly their flags at half-mast.

To show the sympathy of Turkish people to a foreign leader, such as after the deaths of [[Yasser Arafat]] or [[Pope John Paul II]], flags are also flown at half-mast by governmental order.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.haber7.com/guncel/haber/21629-turkiyede-bayraklar-yarin-yariya-inecek|title=Türkiye'de bayraklar yarın yarıya inecek|website=Haber7|language=tr|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/papa-icin-bayraklar-yariya-indirilecek-309913|title=Papa için bayraklar yarıya indirilecek|website=www.hurriyet.com.tr|date=7 April 2005 |language=tr|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref> The flag at the Grand National Assembly in Ankara is never lowered to half-mast, regardless of the occasion.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.milligazete.com.tr/haber/1003690/tbmm-ve-anitkabirde-bayraklar-neden-yariya-indirilmedi|title=TBMM ve Anıtkabir'de bayraklar neden yarıya indirilmedi|website=Milli Gazete|date=15 May 2014 |language=tr|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref> The flag at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of Turkey, is only lowered to half-mast on 10 November.<ref name=":0" /> At those times when the flag is to be flown at half-mast, it must first be raised to full height, then lowered to half-mast.

=== United Arab Emirates ===
The flag of the United Arab Emirates is flown at half mast on 30 November ([[Commemoration Day|Martyrs' Day]]) of every year from 08:00 to 11:30. The flag is also flown at half mast by decree of the [[president of the United Arab Emirates]] usually for three days. Each of the seven emirs has the right to order flags to be flown at half mast in his emirate.

=== United Kingdom ===
[[File:Vatican flag half-mast Oxford 20050403.jpg|thumb|Oratory Church of St Aloysius Gonzaga, [[Oxford]], with the [[flag of Vatican City|flag of the Holy See]] flying at half-mast the day after the death of [[Pope John Paul II]]]]
[[File:Union Jack Half-mast.jpg|thumb|The [[Union Flag]] flying at half-mast, following the death of [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]], 2021]]
The [[Royal Standard (United Kingdom)|Royal Standard]], the flag of the British monarch, is never flown at half-mast, because there is [[The King is dead. Long live the King!|always a sovereign on the throne]].<ref name=buckingham>{{cite web| title=Royal Standard| url=https://www.royal.uk/royal-standard| website=The Royal Household| access-date=2013-12-27}}</ref> It flew at half-mast for several hours from the death of [[Edward VII]] until [[George V]] discovered the error.<ref>{{cite book |authorlink=Edward VIII |last1=Windsor |first1=Edward, Duke of |title=A King's Story: The memoirs of the Duke of Windsor |date=1951 |publisher=Putnam |location=New York |page=72 |url=https://archive.org/details/kingsstorymemoir00wind/page/72}}</ref>

There was some controversy in the United Kingdom in 1997 following the [[death of Diana, Princess of Wales]], over the fact that no flag was flown at half-mast at [[Buckingham Palace]]. Customarily the only flag to fly from Buckingham Palace had been the Royal Standard when the sovereign was in residence at the palace; otherwise, no flag would fly. In response to public outcry,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1560640/Royal-Family-learnt-lesson-over-Princess-Diana.html |title=Royal Family learnt lesson over Princess Diana |access-date=18 March 2012 |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Andrew |last=Pierce |date=18 August 2007}}</ref> [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] ordered a break with protocol, replacing the Royal Standard with the [[Union Flag]] at half mast as soon as she left the palace to attend [[funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales|the princess's funeral]] at [[Westminster Abbey]]. The Royal Standard was again flown (at full hoist) on her return to the palace. Since then, the Union Flag flies from the palace when the monarch is not in residence, and has flown at half mast upon the deaths of members of the royal family, such as [[Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon|Princess Margaret]] and the [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|Queen Mother]] in 2002, [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Philip]] in 2021 and [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] in 2022, and at other times of national mourning such as following the [[7 July 2005 London bombings|terrorist bombings in London on 7 July 2005]], and upon the death of the former prime minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] in 2013.

In the United Kingdom, the correct way to fly the flag at half-mast is two-thirds between the bottom and top of the flagstaff, with at least the width of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the pole according to the [[Department of Culture, Media and Sport]], which decides the flying, on command of the sovereign. The flag may be flown on a government building at half-mast on the following days:
*From the announcement of the death up to the funeral of the sovereign, except on [[Proclamation Day]] when flags are hoisted to full-mast, from 11{{nbsp}}am until sunset;
*The funerals of members of the royal family, upon command of the sovereign;
*The funerals of foreign rulers, upon command of the sovereign;
*The funerals of prime ministers and ex-prime ministers of the UK, upon command of the sovereign;
*Other occasions, by special command of the sovereign.

On a wall-mounted flagpole that is angled at 45° or more from vertical, flags should not be flown at half mast; a flag should either be removed entirely or a black ribbon, known as a mourning cravat, should be attached to the top of the flag.

According to the [[Department of Culture, Media and Sport]], the correct term is ''half mast''.<ref>See ''Flying Flags in the United Kingdom: a Guide to Britain's Flag Protocol''</ref>

If a flag-flying day coincides with a day of half-mast flying (including that for the death of a member of the royal family), the flag is flown at full-mast unless a specific command is received from the sovereign.

If more than one flag is flown on a half-mast day, they must all be flown at half-mast, or not flown at all. The flag of a foreign nation must never be flown at half-mast on UK soil unless that country has declared mourning.<ref name="FlagInstitute">{{cite web|title=Flying Flags in the United Kingdom – A Guide to Britain's Flag Protocol|url=https://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf|website=Flag Institute|publisher=The Flag Institute/The Flags & Heraldry Committee|access-date=14 March 2018}}</ref>

On 8 September 2022, [[Death of Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II died]] at the age of 96 while at [[Balmoral Castle]] in Scotland.<ref name="BBCNewsInfo">{{Cite news |date=8 September 2022 |title=Queen Elizabeth II has died, Buckingham Palace announces |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61585886 |url-status=live |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908173308/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61585886 |archive-date=8 September 2022}}</ref> In accordance with the protocol implemented after the [[Death of Diana, Princess of Wales|death]] of [[Diana, Princess of Wales]], the [[Flag of the United Kingdom|Union Flag]] at [[Buckingham Palace]] was lowered to half mast.<ref name="bbc">{{Cite news |title=UK and world react to death of Queen Elizabeth II |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-62842089 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908174038/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-62842089 |archive-date=8 September 2022 |access-date=8 September 2022 }}</ref>

=== United Nations ===
At the [[United Nations]] offices in New York and Geneva, the [[flag of the United Nations]] flies at half-mast on the day after the death of a head of state or a head of government of a member state, but generally not during the funeral.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/depts/dhl/maplib/docs/stsgb132.pdf|title=UN flag code and regulations}}</ref> Other occasions are at the secretary-general's discretion. Other offices may follow local practice. To honor the memory of [[Dag Hammarskjöld]] the UN issued [[postage stamp]]s showing its flag at half-mast.

=== United States ===
[[File:Capitol flag flies half-staff in honor of Reagan.jpg|thumb|right|The flag at the [[US Capitol Building|Capitol Building]] flies at half-staff in honor of President [[Ronald Reagan]], 2004.]]
[[File:US Coast Guard photo 140911-G-ZV332-011 Ellis Island American flag honors 9 11 victims.jpg|thumb|The United States flag flying at half-staff in memorial of the [[September 11 attacks]] in New York City, Sept. 11, 2014.]]

In the United States, the usual government term for non-nautical use is ''half-staff''. While the term ''half-mast'' is commonly used in place of ''half-staff'', U.S. law and post-WW-I military tradition indicate that ''half-mast'' is reserved to usage aboard a ship, where flags are typically flown from [[Mast (sailing)|masts]], and at naval ships ashore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bartleby.com/68/88/2888.html|title=Bartleby.com: Great Books Online – Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and hundreds more|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510215224/http://www.bartleby.com/68/88/2888.html|archive-date=10 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usa-flag-site.org/faq/half-staff.shtml|title=Does a Flag Fly at Half-Staff or Half-Mast? USA Flag Site|access-date=26 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316005306/http://www.usa-flag-site.org/faq/half-staff.shtml|archive-date=16 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the United States, the president can issue an [[executive order (United States)|executive order]] for the [[flag of the United States]] to be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States government and others, as a mark of respect to their memory. When such an order is issued, all government buildings, offices, public schools, and military bases are to fly their flags at half-staff. Under the [[United States Flag Code]] ({{USCSub|4|7|f}}), the flags of states, cities, localities, and pennants of societies should not be placed above the flag of the United States; therefore, all other flags also fly at half-staff when the U.S. flag has been ordered to fly at half-staff. However, this law is only advisory and cannot be enforced.<ref>{{Cite court|litigants=Dimmitt v. City of Clearwater|court=[[11th Cir.]]|reporter=F.2d|vol=985|opinion=1565|date=1993|url=https://casetext.com/case/dimmitt-v-city-of-clearwater}}</ref>

Under {{USCSub|4|7|m}} and established traditions by presidential proclamations, the flag of the United States is to be flown at half-staff on rare occasions, in the following circumstances:<ref>{{USCSub|4|7|m}}</ref>
*For thirty days (or a month) after the death of a current or former president, or president-elect.
*For ten days after the death of a current [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]], current or retired [[Chief Justice of the United States|chief justice]], or current [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|speaker of the House of Representatives]].
*From the day of death until interment of an [[Associate Justice of the Supreme Court|associate justice of the Supreme Court]], a secretary of an executive or military department, a former vice president or a former Speaker of the House, the [[President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate|president pro tempore of the Senate]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=8756 |title=Nixon's Proclamation 3948 establishing the expectation that the flag will be raised to half-mast upon the death of certain designated officials|website=presidency.ucsb.edu|access-date=20 December 2012}}</ref> or the governor of a state, territory, or possession.
*On the day of death and the day after<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/halfstaff.pdf|title=Flying the American Flag at Half Staff |website=Veterans Affairs}}</ref> for a [[member of Congress]].
*On [[Memorial Day]] until noon.
*On [[Patriot Day]], the anniversary of the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Public Law 107–89 |url=https://www.congress.gov/107/plaws/publ89/PLAW-107publ89.pdf |website=Congress}}</ref>
*Upon presidential proclamation, usually after the death of other notable figures or tragic events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/halfstaff.pdf|title=Flying the American Flag at Half Staff  |website=U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs|access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref>

Federal law includes a congressional request that the flag be flown at half-staff on [[Peace Officers Memorial Day]] (15 May), unless that day is also [[Armed Forces Day]]. Presidential proclamations also call for the flag to be flown at half-staff on [[Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day]] (7 December),<ref>{{cite press release |title=National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2007 |publisher=White House |date= 4 December 2007 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/12/20071204-9.html |access-date=16 January 2008}}</ref>

On 16 October 2001, [[George W. Bush|President George W. Bush]] approved legislation requiring the United States flag to be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings to commemorate firefighters who had been killed. {{USPL|107|51}} requires this action to occur annually in conjunction with observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service |publisher=The Library of Congress |date=16 October 2001 |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:h.j.res.42: |access-date=6 May 2010 |archive-date=8 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508072454/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:H.J.RES.42: |url-status=dead }}</ref> The date of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is traditionally the first Sunday in October. It is held at the [[National Fallen Firefighters Memorial]] in [[Emmitsburg, Maryland]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Fallen Firefighters Monument |publisher=National Fallen Firefighters Foundation |date= 1 October 1981 |url=http://weekend.firehero.org/ |access-date=6 May 2010}}</ref>

{{USCSub|4|7|m}} was modified with new legislation signed into effect on 29 June 2007, by [[George W. Bush|President George W. Bush]], requiring any federal facility within a region, which proclaims half-staff to honor a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who died on active duty, to follow the half-staff proclamation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Code Modifications for Half-Staff at a Federal Facility |publisher="When to fly the flag at half mast", gettysburgflag.com |url=http://www.gettysburgflag.com/FlyFlagHalfMast.php |access-date=4 January 2009}}
</ref>

=== Vietnam ===
[[File:Flag flown half-staff at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum for Vo Nguyen Giap's funeral.jpg|thumb|right|The flag of Vietnam at half-mast for General [[Võ Nguyên Giáp]]'s funeral]]
In addition to lowering the flag to half mast, the flag must also have a black mourning band one-tenth the width of the flag, length equal to flag length with a small black strip of cloth tied across it to keep the flag from flying.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://giaoduc.net.vn/Xa-hoi/Cach-treo-co-ru-Le-tang-Dai-Tuong-Vo-Nguyen-Giap-post129354.gd|title=Cách treo cờ rủ Lễ tang Đại Tướng Võ Nguyên Giáp|last=giaoduc.net.vn|date=6 October 2013}}</ref>

=== Zimbabwe ===
The [[flag of Zimbabwe]] is flown at half-mast at the conferment of National Hero Status to the deceased.

== See also ==
* [[Moment of silence]]
* [[National day of mourning]]
* [[International day of mourning]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wiktionary}}
*[http://itsanhonour.gov.au/symbols/flag.cfm#halfmast Australian protocols for flying at half-mast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221194642/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/symbols/flag.cfm#halfmast |date=21 December 2019 }}
*[http://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/british-flags/flying-flags-in-the-united-kingdom/british-flag-protocol/#index21 British Flag Protocol]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070105022643/http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/berne-halfmasting/index_e.cfm Canadian Heritage announcements of half-masting]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070421101709/http://canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/occasion_e.cfm Canadian rules for half-masting]
*[http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/7.html US Flag Code Concerning Flag Display]
*[http://www.halfstaff.us Calendar of Presidential and Gubernatorial half-staff orders for United States]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Half-Mast}}
[[Category:Acknowledgements of death]]
[[Category:Flag practices]]

[[sv:Flaggning#Sorgflaggning - "flaggning på halv stång"]]