Announcing the Death of George Herbert Walker Bush

This proclamation officially announces the death of former President George H.W. Bush on November 30, 2018, and directs that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days at federal facilities, military installations, and embassies worldwide. It also appoints December 5, 2018, as a National Day of Mourning and calls on Americans to assemble in places of worship to pay homage.

Federal Register Open PDF 83 FR 63039

Impact dates

Dec 30, 2018
End of 30-day half-staff flag period
Dec 5, 2018
National Day of Mourning

Key directives

Display U.S. flag at half-staff for 30 days from day of death (November 30, 2018) at White House, all public buildings and grounds, military posts, naval stations, and naval vessels
Representatives in foreign countries to arrange half-staff display at embassies, legations, consular offices, and military facilities abroad for same 30-day period
Secretary of Defense to order suitable honors by units of the Armed Forces
Appoint December 5, 2018 as National Day of Mourning
Call on American people to assemble in places of worship on December 5, 2018

Who is ordered

Secretary of Defense · Department of Defense

Timeline

Immediate

Flags ordered to half-staff at all federal buildings, military posts, naval stations, and vessels
Embassies and consular offices abroad ordered to half-staff flags

Near term (90d)

30-day half-staff period continues through December 30, 2018
National Day of Mourning observance on December 5, 2018

Long term

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Risks & tensions

None substantive; standard protocol for death of former president with potential minor operational coordination for extended half-staff period across global facilities