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

. Cremated remains of other than soldiers may be mailed by registered mail or shipped by air express. No escort is
authorized.
c. A receipt will be obtained from whomever assumes custody of the cremated remains. A copy of this receipt will
be sent to CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D), Alexandria, VA 22331–0482.
9–5. Procurement of urns by Army
The type of urn specified in the armed services specifications for solid bronze urns or solid hardwood urns will be
procured. When the specified type of urn is not available, a temporary container may be purchased for shipment to a
port mortuary or another command where a suitable urn may be purchased by the contracting officer.
9–6. Arrangements for engraving urns
To promote identification continuity, the urn will be engraved before the cremated remains are placed in it. The
inscription will state name, rank, date of birth, and date of death. The CAC will verify that the required information is
correct before passing the information to the activity engraving the urn. The inscription is placed in two lines below the
Army seal. The first line is the decedent’s rank and name (Sergeant John A. Doe) and the second line is the date of
birth and the date of death (June 16, 1950 — July 22, 1990).
Chapter 10
Group Remains and Group Burials
10–1. Identification processing of group remains
Before remains are designated as group remains and considered for a group burial, the remains will be processed for
identification and thoroughly documented per chapter 8. (See the Glossary for explanation of group burial.) The
identification findings will be submitted to the CMABO for review and approval. (See para 8–16.)
10–2. Selection of a Government cemetery for group burial
Group burials will be in a Government cemetery designated by CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D). When other than
Army dead are included in the group, CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D), will coordinate selection of the cemetery
with other Services and agencies involved.
10–3. Coordinating agency for group burials
CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D), will be the Army coordinating agency for necessary actions to effect a group
burial. CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D), will request assistance from Army installations when needed.
10–4. Advising the PADD of each decedent included in the group burial
a. The PADD of each decedent in the group will be notified of the group burial as soon as possible—
(1) After determination that remains are not individually identifiable and are determined to be group remains.
(2) When a Government cemetery has been selected for interment of the group.
b. Notification will be made by a personal visit and/or letter depending on circumstances and as directed by CDR,
PERSCOM (TAPC–PEZ). The notifier’s travel expenses may be charged to the Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Open
Allotment.
10–5. Travel of persons authorized transportation to attend group burial
See paragraphs 11–2, 11–3, and 11–4 for travel entitlements
10–6. Escorts for group remains
T h e n u m b e r o f e s c o r t s t o b e u s e d f o r r e m a i n s i n a g r o u p b u r i a l w i l l b e d e t e r m i n e d b y C D R , P E R S C O M
(TAPC–PED–D). The rank of the escort will be at least equivalent to that of the highest ranking decedent. (See chap
12.)
10–7. Shipment of group remains to a Government cemetery
a. CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D), will coordinate with the superintendent of the respective cemetery and
arrange with the shipping installation to schedule shipment of the group remains to arrive on the date specified.
b. The commander of the installation responsible for shipment of remains to the cemetery will send a message to the
superintendent of the cemetery as an action addressee and to CDR PERSCOM ALEXANDRIA VA//TAPC–PED–D//
as an information addressee with the following information:
(1) Names, grades, and SSNs of deceased comprised by the group.
(2) Name, grade, and SSN of escort(s).
(3) Scheduled time of departure.
AR 638–2 • 22 December 2000
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