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

Identification Laboratory, Hawaii (CILHI), from any source, regardless of size, number, or quality of the skeletal
fragments and the likelihood of their ever being identified, will not be destroyed.
b. Unidentified portions of remains from the Vietnam conflict, including those designated “CIL Portions,” currently
on hand at CILHI and those so designated in the future will not be destroyed.
c. Unidentifiable portions of remains may continue to be designated “CIL Portions” by CILHI and approved by the
Armed Forces Identification Review Board as “CIL Portions.”
Chapter 9
Cremation and Urns
9–1. When cremation is authorized
Eligible deceased soldiers and certain eligible deceased civilian personnel cited in table 2–1 may be cremated at
Government expense under applicable laws only when a written, signed authorization from the PADD is actually in
military channels. The preferred authorization document is the DA Form 7302. The written, signed authorization from
the PADD will be forwarded with pertinent case papers to CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D), Alexandria, VA
22331–0482. Cremation will be effected only with the consent of the PADD even though cause of death or condition
of remains precludes shipment unless remains are cremated.
9–2. Where and by whom cremation may be accomplished
Cremation may be accomplished by either the Army at a contract facility or at port mortuaries or the PADD’s
receiving funeral home after arrival at final destination.
9–3. Arrangements for cremation
a. When arrangements for cremation are made by Army authorities, the following will apply:
(1) Cremation will be arranged through requirements contract, if one is in effect that includes cremation, or by a
one-time purchase order.
(2) The contractor will follow procedures in the Armed Services Specifications for Mortuary Services for preparation
or reprocessing of remains and cremation. The casket provided for cremation by the contractor may be an industry
standard cremation container or casket. The urn provided by the contractor will meet or exceed the applicable urn
specification.
(3) The commercial crematory will be required to give a receipt for remains; on completion of cremation, the
commercial crematory will be required to provide a release that states that the cremated remains were placed in the
receptacle, the name of the Army representative to whom the cremated remains were delivered, and the date of
delivery. The original receipt and release statement will be attached to DD Form 2062 or DD Form 2063 and sent to
CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D), Alexandria, VA 22331–0482.
(4) When the PADD requests the cremated remains to be held by the Army until shipment at a later date, the
cremated remains will be stored at the port mortuary or contractor’s facility, as applicable. The CAC may authorize
cremated remains to be held by the port mortuary or contractor’s facility up to 90 days. The CDR, PERSCOM
(TAPC–PED–D) may authorize cremated remains to be held up to 1 year. Cremated remains will not be held at the
port mortuary or contractor’s facility for more than one year.
(5) When the PADD desires release of cremated remains before shipment to final destination, Army authorities will
obtain a signed statement from the PADD releasing the Army of any responsibility for the cremated remains and later
shipment at Government expense.
b. When arrangements for cremation are made by the PADD the following will apply:
(1) When the PADD elects an Army preparation of remains option disposition option and the PADD desires
cremation at final destination, remains will be prepared in the normal manner and shipped in a casket that meets or
exceeds the armed services casket specification. The PADD will be reimbursed for transport of the remains to the
crematory, actual crematory charges, suitable urn, including engraving. These expenses will not be counted against the
primary care or interment allowances
(2) When the PADD assumes responsibility for the preparation of remains and elects cremation, the PADD will be
reimbursed for transport the remains to the crematory, actual crematory charges, suitable urn, including engraving.
These expenses will be counted against the primary care allowance.
9–4. Transportation of cremated remains
a. Cremated remains of soldiers will be transported by air or surface transportation with an escort to the designated
consignee (the PADD or designee of the PADD). Cremated remains will be hand-carried at all times. One ticket only
will be required for the escort’s common carrier travel to destination. Return travel of the escort will be effected under
paragraph 12–5 and 12–7.
48 AR 638–2 • 22 December 2000