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

Section II
Safeguarding Human Remains
6–10. Customs requirements
Commanders of Army mortuary facilities outside of the United States will take the actions shown below to prevent
introduction of narcotics, drugs, and other contraband items during processing and movement of remains from Army
mortuary facilities outside of the United States. Additional procedures to ensure integrity and safe shipment of remains
will be at the discretion of the responsible commander.
a. The mortuary officer will ensure that each remains and container are inspected or examined by a military customs
inspector, if possible, to include the following:
(1) Lower and upper portions of the transfer case.
(2) Impervious material used for wrapping the remains, plastic envelopes, gauze, tape, and so forth.
(3) Wrapping of the remains, placing them in the transfer case, and securing the two portions of the transfer case.
(4) Document tube of the transfer case.
b. Packing and shipping personnel will ensure that the inspector attaches numbered seals on the transfer case as
indicated below.
(1) Serial numbered metal rail car seals will be affixed on the diagonally opposite fasteners (spring locks) at head
and foot ends of the transfer case. Numbered seals should not be used in serial sequence.
(2) A numbered fiber tape or other approved seal will be placed across the lid or rim of the document tube.
c. Inspectors will certify on DD Form 1384 (Transportation Control and Movement Document) that transfer case
contains no prohibited items or commodities.
6–11. Additional requirements when noncertified military customs inspectors are used
The following additional procedures will be required when inspection is made by noncertified military customs
inspectors:
a. Two individuals in each mortuary facility will be present during preparation and inspection of remains before
closure of the transfer case and installation of seals after closure.
b. Each individual will sign a certificate or statement stating that he or she witnessed the foregoing actions. The
certificate or statement will remain with the case papers in the mortuary files.
6–12. Annotating documents
After inspections have been completed by the military customs inspector or other authorized individual, mortuary
personnel will annotate the following documents:
a. DD Form 2062. Record car seal numbers in item 26 of the form.
b. Shipping message. Cite customs seal numbers in final paragraph of the message and in DCIPS–G.
c. DD Form 1384. Enter in “remarks” column customs seals as indicated in examples below.
(1) Head 789.
(2) Foot 754
6–13. Transporting remains
a. If a secure area is available at the terminal, remains may be moved immediately to the transportation facility to
await transportation.
b. If a secure area is not available, the shipping mortuary will coordinate movement to permit direct loading or
minimal time lag before loading.
6–14. Procedures when infant-size shipping container is used
The following procedures will be used when an infant-size shipping container is used:
a. A metal or fiber band will be placed around the shipping container.
b. A serial numbered metal rail car seal will be placed through a lapped section of the metal or fiber band between
two metal clamps to preclude removal without breaking the seal.
Section III
Mortuary Services
6–15. Verifying eligibility of certain deceased individuals for mortuary services
a. The commander at the place of death, for personnel who die outside of the United States, will verify the status of
the following:
(1) Dependents of active duty soldiers.
(2) DA and DOD civilians and their dependents.
38 AR 638–2 22 December 2000