Across Canada, countless Canadian flags proudly fly outside homes, schools, businesses, cottages, embassies, community centres, and military institutions. Over time, wind, snow, rain, and sun leave their mark. Eventually, every flag reaches a point where it can no longer properly represent the country it once proudly served.
But the Canadian flag should never simply be thrown away.
At Beechwood Cemetery, the National Cemetery of Canada, Canadians are invited to participate in a growing national initiative that ensures worn, faded, torn, or damaged Canadian and provincial flags are respectfully and properly retired with dignity.
Through the “Under the Maple Leaf – Respecting the Canadian Flag” initiative, Beechwood Cemetery Foundation accepts retired flags from individuals, families, schools, veterans organizations, Legions, businesses, municipalities, and community groups from across the country.
The program provides Canadians with a meaningful and respectful way to honour the Maple Leaf even at the end of its service.
Once received, the flags are carefully stored and later retired during a solemn ceremonial process at Beechwood Cemetery. The flags are respectfully cremated through Beechwood’s on-site crematorium in a dignified process rooted in remembrance, stewardship, and national pride.
This initiative reflects a simple but powerful belief: the Canadian flag deserves respect from the moment it is raised to the moment it is retired.
As the National Cemetery of Canada, Beechwood understands the emotional and symbolic importance of the Maple Leaf. Flags have stood beside Canadians during moments of war and peace, celebration and mourning, citizenship ceremonies and military funerals. They represent service, sacrifice, unity, and the shared identity of Canadians across generations.
Today, more and more Canadians are choosing to send their retired flags to Beechwood rather than dispose of them improperly.
Schools have begun using the initiative as an educational opportunity to teach students about citizenship and respect for national symbols. Veterans groups and Legions are incorporating flag retirement into remembrance activities. Families are sending flags that once flew over cottages, family homes, military deployments, and important life events.
Every flag carries a story.
Every flag deserves dignity.
Canadians wishing to participate can mail or deliver their retired Canadian or provincial flags directly to:
Under the Maple Leaf – Respecting the Canadian Flag
Beechwood Cemetery Foundation
280 Beechwood Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
K1L 8A6
Flags should be folded respectfully before sending whenever possible.
This national initiative continues to grow each year as Canadians from coast to coast to coast come together to ensure that one of the country’s most important symbols is treated with the care and respect it deserves.
