5.01 - The Maryland flag should be flown at half-staff whenever the U.S. flag is so flown. Half-staff means lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and the bottom of the staff. When flown at half-staff, the Maryland flag should be hoisted briskly to the peak for an instant and then lowered slowly to half staff. Before being lowered for the day, the Maryland flag should again be raised to the peak.
Figure 1
5.02 - When the U.S. flag and the Maryland flag are flown together at half staff, whether from adjacent staffs (Fig 1) or from a single staff with two halyards (Figs. 2 & 3) the U.S. flag is raised first and lowered last. When flown from a single staff with one halyard, the Maryland flag is secured to the halyard immediately below the U.S. flag and accompanies it as the U.S. flag is raised to the peak and lowered to half staff.
Figures 2 & 3
5.03 - By order of the Governor or his authorized representative, the Maryland flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of present or former government officials or state and national leaders, and on other occasions as the Governor or his authorized representative directs. The Maryland flag shall remain at half-staff for the period prescribed by the Governor or his authorized representative.
5.04 - The Maryland flag should be flown at half-staff when so ordered by county and municipal government officials on all property under their jurisdiction.
5.05 - On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag and Maryland flag are displayed at half-staff until noon only; then they are hoisted to the top of the staff.
Figure 13
5.06 - The Maryland flag may be used to cover the coffin of a state police officer killed in the line of duty, or any other state official or public servant whose career was substantially devoted to public service in the state. When the Maryland flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed so that the first quarter is at the head and over the left shoulder. The Maryland flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. (Fig. 13)
Figure 14
5.07 - During periods of official mourning, the Maryland flag may be draped with crepe when it is not possible to display the flag at half-staff. When so ordered by the Governor or his authorized representative, the staff of the flag shall display black crepe attached to the staff below the cross bottony. The crepe shall be tied into a bow with the ends forming streamers of equal length. (Fig. 14)
