Care and Disposition of Remains - Army Publishing Directorate ...

a. Any employee of a humanitarian agency accredited to the armed forces, such as the American Red Cross and the
United Services Organization.
b. Any civilian performing a service directly for the Secretary because of employment by an agency under a contract
with the Secretary.
c. Any officer or member of a crew of a merchant vessel operated by or for the United States through the Secretary.
d. Any person who is on duty with an armed force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary and who is paid from nonappropriated
funds.
e. Any person not otherwise covered by this section and mortuary services are specifically requested by the
Department of State.
f. Any dependent of a person who is covered by this section, if the dependent is living outside of the United States
with that person at the time of death.
2–17. Mortuary benefits
Eligible decedents will be provided mortuary services and related items at Government expense unless otherwise stated.
Federal statutes determine whether mortuary services are provided at Government expense or on a reimbursable basis.
Certain eligible decedents may be provided part of the services at Government expense or all or part of the services on
a reimbursable basis. Mortuary benefits are summarized below and expanded in future chapters.
a. Recovery. The Army will search for, recover, segregate, and identify remains of eligible decedents (see chap 8).
b. Communications. The Army will communicate with the PADD of the decedent and other appropriate persons
concerning disposition of remains and related subjects. (See chap 4.)
c. Removal. Remains will be transported in a funeral coach, ambulance, or service car from place of death to place
where processing or reprocessing is performed. This will be done under standards outlined in the Armed Services
Specification for Mortuary Services. (See para 5–6f.)
d. Preparation. Preparation of remains consists of embalming and other preservative measures, restorative art to
include derma surgery, dressing or wrapping, placing in casket, and other related items. Preparation will be done under
standards outlined in the Armed Services Specification for Mortuary Services. (See para 5–6f.)
e. Casket. The Government will provide a casket that meets standards outlined in the Armed Services Specification
for Mortuary Services and the Armed Services Specification for Hardwood Caskets. (See paras 2–3, 2–19, and 5–6f.)
f. Clothing. A uniform with accouterments or civilian clothing will be provided with appropriate underwear. (See
para 2–19.)
g. Cremation. Arrangements for cremation of remains will be made by the Army at the specific written request of
the PADD. A suitable engraved urn will be provided. (See chap 9.)
h. Transportation of remains. The place to which remains can be shipped at Government expense varies depending
on the category of the decedent. (See chap 11, sec II.) The outer shipping container and other items included as part of
transportation are listed in table 1–3.
i. Escort. An escort may be provided to accompany the remains of an eligible decedent to final destination. (See
chap 12.)
j. Flag. One flag of the United States (interment, 5-feet hoist by 9-feet, 6-inches fly) with case will be presented to
the spouse, and one such flag will be presented to the parents. (See chap 15.)
k. Interment. Interment may be in a Government cemetery (national or post) if decedent is eligible or in a private
cemetery. (See chap 13.)
l. Grave marker. The Government will provide an upright marble headstone or a flat marker of marble, granite, or
bronze to mark the grave of an eligible decedent. (See chap 16.)
m. Interment allowance. An interment allowance is authorized to assist the PADD with defraying costs of funeral
expenses of deceased soldiers and certain civilian employees. (See chap 13.)
n. Memorial flags, grave sites, and markers. Memorial flags, grave sites, and markers will be provided for
nonrecovered remains of deceased eligible soldiers. (See chap 14 and paras 15–9b and 16–3a.)
o. Memorial service allowance. An allowance will be paid to the PADD to help defray costs of memorial service
expenses of deceased soldiers and civilians employees when their remains are not recovered. (See para 14–4.)
p. Funeral travel. Travel and per diem will be provided by the Army for certain persons to attend the funeral service
of a soldier who died while on active duty (see chap 11 for specific entitlement and benefits).
2–18. Caskets
a. Caskets. Caskets specified in the Armed Services Specification for Mortuary Services (see para 5–6f) or the
Armed Services Specification for Hardwood Caskets will be used for adult-size remains.
b. Nonstock caskets. When remains are too large to fit into an oversize casket, purchase of a larger casket is
authorized for deceased entitled to a casket at Government expense. When local interment practices require a casket
smaller than the standard specification casket, purchase of an appropriate sized casket is authorized for decedent’s
entitled to a casket at Government expense. Purchase price should be mutually agreed on by the contractor and the
22 AR 638–2 22 December 2000