Question 14819 — public ceremonies and legal holidays
France · National Assembly · 5 May 2026
Mr. Emmanuel Fouquart draws the attention of the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans to the conditions under which a funeral tribute can be paid to association standard bearers. The standard bearers play a leading role in the transmission of combatant memory and in maintaining the link between the Nation, its armies and veterans. By their presence during patriotic and commemorative ceremonies, they embody the respect due to those who died for France, to veterans and to all those who served the Nation. During the funeral of a veteran holding the combatant's card or the title of recognition of the Nation, the coffin may be covered with a tricolor sheet, in accordance with current practices. Families can also request the presence of standard bearers during funerals, in particular through the associations of the fighting world or departmental services of the National Office for Combatants and War Victims. However, uncertainty remains when the deceased is himself a standard bearer, without holding a title giving right to the tricolor cloth on the coffin. Many families and associations wonder about the possibility of placing, during the funeral ceremony, the flag of the association or the emblem that the deceased carried for many years near the coffin, without it covering it. Also, he asks her to kindly clarify whether protocol usage allows, during the funeral of a standard bearer, for the association flag to be placed next to the coffin in order to pay tribute to his memorial commitment and whether she plans to issue an instruction or recommendation to the competent services in order to harmonize these practices throughout the country.