Who issues half-mast notifications?

The president of the United States, governors and local leaders typically issue half-mast notifications. However, individuals and business are allowed to make that decision for themselves as well.

The National Flag Code, which the American Legion and other organizations adopted in 1923, offers recommendations for flag lowering. For instance, the American president typically orders a half-staff flag when a national or state government official dies. In addition, presidents have given the directive upon the deaths of military personnel or individuals of distinction. By tradition, flags are always flown at half-mast on certain days, such as Memorial Day, National Fire Fighters Memorial Day in October and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.