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

contracting officer. The contracting officer will take into consideration that the cost may, of necessity, be higher than
for stock-size caskets.
c. Infant and child caskets. Army authorities outside the United states may procure these types of caskets for
remains processed on a reimbursable basis.
d. Marking caskets. When necessary, caskets will be labeled with an appropriate tag that is marked as follows:
(1) “Contagious Disease” in those cases in which death was the result of a contagious or communicable disease.
(2) “Not To Be Opened” in those cases where health requirements preclude opening the casket.
e. Sealer casket. The locking device or “key” to open the casket will be sent with the casket to the receiving funeral
home.
f. Unauthorized caskets. Caskets are not authorized—
(1) When the PADD desires other than a specification casket provided by the Army.
(2) On a reimbursable basis for indigenous personnel interred in the territory or country of their domicile.
2–19. Authorized burial clothing and related items
Burial clothing and other items authorized in this paragraph will be obtained and taken by mortuary affairs officers to
the civilian funeral establishment or Government mortuary preparing the remains for Army-arranged cases. If appropriate
clothing and insignia and ribbons for military uniforms are not available in a command outside the United States,
notify the receiving CAC or port mortuary by e-mail or telephonically. Inform the receiving CAC or port mortuary
what additional items (to include size or measurements if appropriate) are required. The receiving CAC or port
mortuary will obtain the required items. Information concerning required items must be complete and accurate.
Authorized clothing for burial of eligible deceased is as follows:
a. Soldiers.
(1) Currently prescribed class A uniform, including underwear, stockings, necktie, and shoes (if requested) and
complete insignia of Service, branch, organization, grade, unit crests, campaign ribbons, and ribbons indicating
decorations and awards. Also, the soldier’s nameplate will be placed on the uniform. The nameplate will be obtained
from the soldier’s personal effects or from other available sources. Every effort will be made to obtain the nameplate;
however, shipping the remains will not be delayed for it. A garrison or service hat will not be provided; berets for
Special Forces soldiers, soldiers currently assigned to Ranger units, and soldiers on current jump status may be
provided. The utmost care will be taken to ensure that the uniform fits properly and that appropriate insignia and
ribbons are affixed. The uniform will be taken from the soldier’s personal effects if in a serviceable condition. The
clothing will be washed or dry cleaned at Government expense when needed. If a serviceable uniform cannot be found,
one will be obtained from the military clothing sales store or purchased locally at Government expense as follows:
(a) Military clothing sales store. When available Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) brand and
Defense Procurement Supply Center (DPSC) uniforms and insignia will be purchased. Commercial vendor brands may
be used only when AAFES and DPSC brand items are not available.
(b) Local purchase. The uniform will be purchased locally only when military clothing sales store stock is not
available.
(2) Army dress blue uniform if provided by the PADD.
(3) When enlisted personnel have reverted from commissioned officer or warrant officer status, an officer or warrant
officer uniform, as appropriate, may be provided if the PADD so desires and the officer status was not terminated
under other than honorable conditions. Authorization of the officer uniform for burial is not to be construed as official
recognition of a higher grade for other purposes.
(a) The uniform of the soldier may be used, if appropriate, with the addition of proper braid and insignia, chargeable
to the Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Open Allotment.
(b) If a suitable uniform is not available, the Army green uniform with addition of appropriate braid and insignia is
authorized. Insignia of grade will be consistent with the highest active duty or reserve commissioned officer or warrant
officer grade attained by the deceased.
(c) If the PADD desires to provide a uniform not currently authorized, that uniform is acceptable burial dress
provided it was authorized during the period the soldier was in an officer or warrant officer status.
(4) Civilian clothing consisting of appropriate outer clothing, underwear, hose, and shoes (if requested) may be
provided at Government expense when desired by the PADD. The cost of civilian clothing will not exceed the cost of
providing an Army green uniform.
(5) Identification tags are Government property and will be attached to the remains in a secure manner.
b. Military prisoners. A suitable U.S. military uniform (from which all insignia and military buttons have been
removed), including underwear and hose, will be used.
c. Naval and Air Force personnel. Necessary clothing and accouterments for eligible deceased Navy, Marine Corps,
and Air Force personnel will be obtained from the nearest military installation or through local purchase when
requested by those Services. (See chap 3 for additional guidance.)
d. Civilian employees. Clothing authorized for burial of eligible civilian personnel consists of suitable outer clothing,
AR 638–2 22 December 2000
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