Each American Flag should be used and flown with pride and joy, not to mention the highest form of respect. Since it embodies the very existence of the citizens of today, it is recognized by the constitution as a national emblem, and desecrating it irresponsibly has its own penalties imposed. Nevertheless, each of these flags flown is made of materials which degrade slowly through time and with use. Flying a tattered and worn out flag is almost synonymous to being disrespectful to the flag itself, and this is why there are some set of rules on how to properly and respectfully dispose of the American Flag.

Burning of the American flag as itself or part of an effigy shows some of the most disrespectful means to show others, the boys scouts have a traditional method of burning it that signifies the mature time of a flag’s service and need for passing. In this aspect, it may be a good idea to hand it over to a local troop in your area and have it given its final rights properly.

Of course it would be best to see if a damaged American flag could be repaired for small damages while retaining its whole and complete look. If you have a flag that is torn all across vertically for instance, even any amount of repair would leave a hideous patchwork visible to the public eye, and is more likely deemed to be inappropriate.

You may treat the flag as a person itself who needs proper respect as he or she passes from this earth. In this manner, you may actually try to properly bury an American Flag just like a person – by having it properly stored in a stainless steel box or any other form of decent containment, and buried properly.