Mourning Streamers

A mourning streamer is the appropriate alternative when a flag cannot physically be lowered to half-staff. If the flagpole has a working rope and pulley system, the flag should be lowered to half-staff — the streamer is not used in addition to lowering. It is used specifically when lowering is not possible.

That includes:

• A porch or house-mounted flagpole without a halyard
• A fixed staff
• An indoor flagpole
• Any pole where the flag remains permanently at the top

The black streamer is attached to the pole immediately below the ornament or finial and allowed to hang alongside the flag. It should be attached to the pole — not directly to the flag itself.

The streamer is used during the same periods when half-staff display is ordered or appropriate. It is not a supplement to half-staffing — it is a substitute for it when the physical setup does not allow the flag to be lowered.

The U.S. Flag Code does not specifically establish the mourning-streamer practice, but it is widely recognized and accepted. The American Legion describes attaching a black ribbon at the top of the pole as an acceptable alternative when a flag cannot be lowered.